Which term describes a numerical value that characterizes an entire population?

Which term describes a numerical value that characterizes an entire population?

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

Answer: (A)

A parameter is the numerical value that describes an entire population. It represents a property of every member of the group, such as the true mean or true proportion, and is fixed for that population—though we often don’t know its exact value. A statistic, in contrast, is computed from a sample and is used to estimate that population value. A variable is a trait that can take on different values across individuals, while a constant is a fixed number that doesn’t change. So, when the description points to a value that characterizes every member of the population, the correct term is parameter.

A parameter is the numerical value that describes an entire population. It represents a property of every member of the group, such as the true mean or true proportion, and is fixed for that population—though we often don’t know its exact value. A statistic, in contrast, is computed from a sample and is used to estimate that population value. A variable is a trait that can take on different values across individuals, while a constant is a fixed number that doesn’t change. So, when the description points to a value that characterizes every member of the population, the correct term is parameter.