A characteristic, usually a numerical value, which describes a sample is called a ____.

A characteristic, usually a numerical value, which describes a sample is called a ____.

• A. Parameter
• B. Statistics
• C. Variable
• D. Constant

Answer: (B)

Describing a sample with a numerical value is done with statistics. A statistic is a number calculated from the sample data that summarizes some aspect of that specific sample, such as the sample mean or the sample standard deviation. This is distinct from a parameter, which describes a characteristic of the whole population (for example, the population mean) and is often unknown. A variable is simply a trait that can take on different values, while a constant is a fixed value that does not vary. Because the focus is on describing the sample itself with a numerical value, statistics is the best fit. For example, the average test score of the sampled students is a statistic, whereas the average score of all students in the entire school would be a parameter.

Describing a sample with a numerical value is done with statistics. A statistic is a number calculated from the sample data that summarizes some aspect of that specific sample, such as the sample mean or the sample standard deviation. This is distinct from a parameter, which describes a characteristic of the whole population (for example, the population mean) and is often unknown. A variable is simply a trait that can take on different values, while a constant is a fixed value that does not vary. Because the focus is on describing the sample itself with a numerical value, statistics is the best fit. For example, the average test score of the sampled students is a statistic, whereas the average score of all students in the entire school would be a parameter.