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Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisVery hardDistribution of many sample means

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

A researcher draws 1,000 random samples of 50 adults each from a population and records the mean height of each sample. Compared with the heights of individual adults in the population, the 1,000 sample means are ____

  1. A. centred at about the same value but much less spread out.Correct
  2. B. centred at a higher value and more spread out.
  3. C. centred at about the same value and equally spread out.
  4. D. centred at a lower value and less spread out.

Answer: A. centred at about the same value but much less spread out.

Averaging 50 heights pulls each sample mean toward the population mean.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. centred at a higher value and more spread out.
Averaging does not shift the centre upward.
C. centred at about the same value and equally spread out.
Means of 50 vary much less than single heights.
D. centred at a lower value and less spread out.
Averaging does not shift the centre downward.

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