Final answer:
The first step in creating the initial population for a genetic algorithm is to generate random candidate solutions, specifically 'Generate 4 random 9-bit strings'. This initializes the population which will be evolved through the algorithm.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step in creating the initial population for a genetic algorithm is typically to generate a set of random candidate solutions. The correct answer to the student's question is option c: Generate 4 random 9-bit strings. This implies that an initial population of 4 strings, each consisting of 9 bits (which could be binary digits, or any other defined set of alleles depending on the problem domain), is created randomly. Genetic algorithms start with a diverse population to ensure a good exploration of the solution space. Discarding the least-fit strings occurs later in the process, after a fitness evaluation has been performed on the initial population.
Creating a bar graph, defining random variables, and constructing confidence intervals are steps involved in statistical analysis, which, while related to algorithmic optimization problems like those solved by genetic algorithms, are separate considerations.