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Which statement best describes a margin of error?

A) The difference between a sample mean and a population proportion
B) The value of error between a sample statistic and an actual population parameter
C) The value of error between a sample mean and a population proportion
D) The difference between a sample mean and a population mean

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The margin of error indicates the likely difference between a sample estimate and the actual population parameter, and a lower margin of error suggests a more precise estimate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The margin of error is a statistic that indicates how much an estimate from a sample, such as a sample mean, might differ from the true population parameter. The correct answer to the question is that the margin of error is: B) The value of error between a sample statistic and an actual population parameter. For example, in polling, if a candidate is predicted to win 30% of the vote and the margin of error is ±6%, the actual proportion of votes that the candidate might receive could range from 24% to 36%. The margin of error gives us an understanding of the level of certainty we can have in the results obtained from a sample. It is influenced by factors such as the confidence level, sample size, and the estimated proportion of successes in the sample. Importantly, a lower margin of error provides a more precise estimate of the population parameter.

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