Question

Determine whether the underlined number is a statistic or a parameter. In a study of all 1377 professors at a college, it is found that 55% own a television.

Answer 1

The underlined number, 55%, is a statistic.A parameter would have been if the study had determined the exact percentage of all professors at the college who own a television. However, as the information is derived from a study of a specific subset (the 1377 professors), it remains a statistic.

Explanation:

A statistic is a numerical characteristic of a sample, while a parameter refers to a numerical characteristic of a population. In this case, the study examines a proportion (55%) of professors out of the total 1377 professors at a college. Since the data pertains to a subset (sample) of the entire population of professors, it qualifies as a statistic rather than a parameter.

The 55% represents the proportion of professors who own a television within the sample group of 1377 professors.

A parameter would have been if the study had determined the exact percentage of all professors at the college who own a television. However, as the information is derived from a study of a specific subset (the 1377 professors), it remains a statistic.