SAT Inference from sample statistics and margin of error Practice Question 15 (Easy)

Question bank / Inference from sample statistics and margin of error

Math · Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisEasy

Random samples of different sizes will be selected from the same population, using the same method, to estimate a population proportion. Which sample size would most likely produce the estimate with the smallest margin of error?

$50$

$200$

$500$

$1{,}000$

Show answer and explanation

Answer: D

When samples are selected from the same population with the same method, larger samples give more precise estimates. So the largest sample, $1{,}000$ , would most likely have the smallest margin of error.

Choice A is tempting if you think a small margin of error goes with a small sample, but smaller samples vary more and have larger margins of error.

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