16Hit1600
Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisEasy–MediumValues inside a margin of error

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

A random sample of 500 households in a region found that 38% of them own a pet, with a margin of error of 4 percentage points. Which of the following is a plausible value for the percent of ALL households in the region that own a pet?

  1. A. 41%Correct
  2. B. 45%
  3. C. 33%
  4. D. 50%

Answer: A. 41%

The margin of error gives a plausible range of 38 − 4 = 34% to 38 + 4 = 42%. Of the choices, only 41% lies in that range.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 45%
45% is above 42%, the top of the plausible range.
C. 33%
33% is just below 34%, the bottom of the plausible range.
D. 50%
50% is far outside the range of 34% to 42%.

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