AP Statistics · Topic 5.7

Sampling Distributions for Sample Means Practice

Part of Sampling Distributions.(UNC-3.H)

Practice questions

50

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Sample questions

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  1. Sample 1difficulty 1/5

    A population has a known mean μ and known standard deviation σ. Random samples of size n are repeatedly drawn.

    The mean of the sampling distribution of x̄ is always equal to which of the following?

    • A

      x̄ from any one sample.

    • B
    • C

      μ (the population mean).

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    • D

      μ/n.

    Why

    The sample mean is unbiased, so μ_x̄ = μ.

  2. Sample 2difficulty 2/5

    A population has σ = 30. Samples of n = 100 are taken.

    σ_x̄ = 30/√100

    The standard deviation of x̄ is:

    • A

      30

    • B

      0.3

    • C

      3

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    • D

      300

    Why

    σ_x̄ = 30/√100 = 30/10 = 3.

  3. Sample 3difficulty 2/5

    Which best describes the term "standard error" of x̄?

    • A

      Always equal to σ/√n.

    • B

      The bias of x̄.

    • C

      The mean of x̄.

    • D

      An estimate of σ_x̄ when σ is unknown, using s/√n.

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    Why

    The SE of x̄ is the estimated SD using the sample SD: s/√n.

  4. Sample 4difficulty 2/5

    center at μ

    Why is x̄ called an unbiased estimator of μ?

    • A

      Because s = σ.

    • B

      Because the mean of its sampling distribution equals μ.

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    • C

      Because every sample gives x̄ = μ.

    • D

      Because the median equals μ.

    Why

    Unbiased means E(x̄) = μ_x̄ = μ.

  5. Sample 5difficulty 2/5

    Two simulated sampling distributions of x̄ are overlaid on the same axes.

    Two sampling distributions of x̄ have the same mean μ but different SDs. Which has a smaller σ?

    • A

      Cannot tell.

    • B

      The taller, narrower one (larger n).

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    • C

      Both have the same SD.

    • D

      The wider one (smaller n).

    Why

    A narrower sampling distribution corresponds to a smaller σ_x̄ = σ/√n, which occurs with larger n.