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Inference from sample statistics and margin of error SAT question
Math · Problem-Solving and Data Analysis · Easy · Answer it here, explanation included.
At a large high school, 300 students were selected at random and were asked in a survey about a menu change in the school cafeteria. All 300 students completed the survey. It was estimated that 38% of the students were in support of a menu change, with a margin of error of 5.5%. Which of the following is the best interpretation of the survey results?
ExplanationShow
Choice C is correct. It’s given that an estimated 38% of sampled students at the school were in support of a menu change, with a margin of error of 5.5%. It follows that the percent of the students at the school who support a menu change is 38% plus or minus 5.5%. The lower bound of this estimation is 
, or 32.5%. The upper bound of this estimation is 
, or 43.5%. Therefore, plausible values of the percent of the students at the school who support a menu change are between 32.5% and 43.5%.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the percent of the sampled students at the school who support a menu change. Choices B and D are incorrect and may result from misinterpreting the margin of error.
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