Question

you are investigating the number of computers in each household in a city. determine whether each description is a population or a sample.
the number of computers in one household in the city
the number of computers in every other household on a street in the city
the number of computers in all households in the city
the number of computers in all households of a neighborhood in the city
which description(s) are populations? select all that apply.
a. the number of computers in one household in the city
b. the number of computers in every other household on a street in the city
c. the number of computers in all households in the city
d. the number of computers in all households of a neighborhood in the city

Explanation:

• Population: A population is the entire group of individuals or items that we are interested in studying.
• Sample: A sample is a subset of the population.

• Option A: The number of computers in one household is a single data point from the population (all households in the city). It is a sample (a very small sample) as it is not the entire group of interest.
• Option B: The number of computers in every other household on a street is a subset of the households in the city. So, it is a sample.
• Option C: The number of computers in all households in the city is the entire group (all households) that we are interested in (regarding the number of computers in households in the city). So, it is a population.
• Option D: The number of computers in all households of a neighborhood is a subset of the households in the city (since a neighborhood is part of a city). So, it is a sample.

Answer:

C. the number of computers in all households in the city