Question 46·Easy·Inference from Sample Statistics and Margin of Error
A survey of 200 students at a high school asked whether they plan to attend a four-year college. Of those surveyed, 135 students said they plan to attend a four-year college. The school enrolls 1,050 students in total. Based on the survey results, about how many students at the school would be expected to plan to attend a four-year college?
For survey and inference questions like this, first compute the sample proportion (part/whole, such as ), then apply that proportion to the full population by multiplying the total population size by the proportion. Set up a simple proportion equation if that feels clearer, and use quick estimation (for example, compare to familiar fractions like ) to check that your final answer is reasonable and close to one of the choices.
Hints
Use the sample as a proportion
Start by finding what fraction or percentage of the 200 surveyed students said they plan to attend a four-year college.
Apply that proportion to the whole school
Once you know the proportion from the sample, assume it is the same for all 1,050 students. How can you use that proportion to find an expected count out of 1,050?
Set up and solve a proportion equation
Let be the expected number of students in the whole school who plan to attend a four-year college and set up an equation like . Then solve for and compare your result to the answer choices.
Desmos Guide
Use Desmos to compute the expected value
In a new expression line, type 1050 * 135 / 200 and look at the numerical result that Desmos displays. Then choose the answer option that is closest to this value.
Step-by-step Explanation
Find the proportion in the sample
We are told that 135 out of 200 surveyed students plan to attend a four-year college.
Compute the proportion:
So, about of the surveyed students plan to attend a four-year college.
Set up the proportion for the whole school
Assume the same proportion applies to all 1,050 students at the school.
Let be the expected number of students (out of 1,050) who plan to attend a four-year college. Set up a proportion:
Solve for by multiplying both sides by 1,050:
This expression gives the expected number of students.
Calculate and choose the closest answer
Now compute the value of :
First, and , so
We expect about 709 students; among the answer choices, 710 is the closest, so the correct answer is 710.