Question

in a study of all babies born at hospitals in one state, it was found that the average (mean) weight at birth was 3151.7 grams. identify whether the value is a statistic or a parameter. choose the correct answer below. a. the value is a statistic because it describes some characteristic of a sample. b. the value is a statistic because it describes some characteristic of a population. c. the value is a parameter because it describes some characteristic of a sample. d. the value is a parameter because it describes some characteristic of a population.

Explanation:

1. First, recall the definitions: A parameter describes a characteristic of a population, while a statistic describes a characteristic of a sample.
2. The study is about all babies born at hospitals in one state. So the "all babies" here is the population.
3. The average weight (mean) of 3151.7 grams is a characteristic of this entire population (all babies in that state's hospitals). So it is a parameter.
4. Now analyze the options:

• Option A: Says it's a statistic (sample) - incorrect, as it's the whole population.
• Option B: Says statistic (population) - contradiction, statistic is for sample.
• Option C: Says parameter (sample) - contradiction, parameter is for population.
• Option D: Says parameter (population) - matches our analysis.

Answer:

D. The value is a parameter because it describes some characteristic of a population.