Question

myrna wants to know about how many pairs of jeans middle school students own. she did not have time to ask all 257 middle school students, so she surveyed a random sample of 25 students. the given results display the number of pairs of jeans each surveyed student owns. 3, 4, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 4, 2, 3, 1, 2, 4, 2, 3, 2, 2, 6, 1, 1, 2, 4, 1, 1, 2
the mean of her data is 2.36 pairs of jeans. from the given data and the calculated mean, which inference could myrna make?
most seventh - grade students prefer cargo pants to jeans.
an average middle school student owns three or more jeans.
the average middle school student owns around two pairs of jeans.
all middle school students own jeans.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the data

The mean is \(2.36\), which is approximately \(2\).

Step2: Evaluate each option

• Option 1: "Most seventh - grade students prefer cargo pants to jeans" is about preference, not the number of jeans, so it's not relevant.
• Option 2: "An average middle school student owns three or more jeans" is incorrect as the mean is \(2.36\).
• Option 3: "The average middle school student owns around two pairs of jeans" is correct as \(2.36\approx2\).
• Option 4: "All middle school students own jeans" is too absolute. Just because the mean is \(2.36\) doesn't mean every student has jeans.

Answer:

The average middle school student owns around two pairs of jeans.