Question

multiple select question
select all that apply
which of the following are example of inferential statistics?
□ estimating the average weight in a box of apples by measuring the weight of five apples.
□ making a bar chart from a set of data.
□ placing the prices of houses for sale in april in boston in rank order.
□ counting the blue candies in a package of m&ms as a way to estimate the proportion of blue candies in all packages.

Explanation:

Inferential statistics uses sample data to make estimates, inferences, or predictions about a larger population. Descriptive statistics summarizes or describes data directly without inferring about a population.

1. Estimating the average weight of all apples in a box using 5 apples uses a sample to infer about the whole population (all apples in the box), so this is inferential.
2. Making a bar chart only summarizes the given data, this is descriptive statistics, not inferential.
3. Ranking house prices only organizes and describes the given data, this is descriptive statistics, not inferential.
4. Using blue candies in one package to estimate the proportion in all packages uses a sample (one package) to infer about the larger population (all M&M packages), so this is inferential.

Answer:

• Estimating the average weight in a box of apples by measuring the weight of five apples.
• Counting the blue candies in a package of M&M's as a way to estimate the proportion of blue candies in all packages.