Question

Data regarding average reported number of calories consumed per day is collected from a random sample of 800 CSUN students chosen using randomly selected student ID numbers. The mean reported number of calories consumed per day from the sample is found to be 2,700. What is the best estimate for the unknown population average reported number of calories consumed per day of all CSUN students?

Answer 1

The best estimate for the unknown population average reported number of calories consumed per day of all CSUN students is the sample mean, 2700.

Explanation:

A parameter is a characteristic of a population. It is a numerical value of the population characteristic. It is based on all the population values.

A statistic is a characteristic of a sample. It is a numerical value of the sample characteristic. It is based on all the sample values drawn from the population.

A sample statistic is an unbiased estimator of the population parameter.

The sample statistic is also known as the point estimate of the parameter value.

The sample mean is a sample statistic.

So the sample mean is a point estimate of the population mean.

In this case the sample mean number of calories consumed per day computed using a sample of 800 CSUN students is 2,700.

Then the best estimate for the population mean number of calories consumed per day by all CSUN students is,
`\bar x=2700`.

Thus, the best estimate for the unknown population average reported number of calories consumed per day of all CSUN students is the sample mean, 2700.