Question

In a survey of 75 students, 18 said they would benefit from summer school.

Given a 95% level of confidence with a z-score of 1.96, what is the margin of error?

(1 point)
Responses

24%
24%

10%
10%

0.096%
0.096%

47%

1 answer

To calculate the margin of error for the survey results, we can use the formula:

\[ \text{Margin of Error} = z \times \sqrt{\frac{p(1-p)}{n}} \]

where:

  • \( z \) is the z-score for the desired confidence level,
  • \( p \) is the sample proportion,
  • \( n \) is the sample size.

In this case:

  • The z-score for a 95% confidence level is 1.96.
  • The sample size (\( n \)) is 75.
  • The number of students who would benefit from summer school is 18, so the sample proportion (\( p \)) is \( \frac{18}{75} = 0.24 \).

Now we can calculate the margin of error:

  1. Calculate \( p(1-p) \): \[ p(1-p) = 0.24 \times (1 - 0.24) = 0.24 \times 0.76 = 0.1824 \]

  2. Calculate the standard error: \[ \text{Standard Error} = \sqrt{\frac{0.1824}{75}} \approx \sqrt{0.002432} \approx 0.04932 \]

  3. Finally, calculate the margin of error using the z-score: \[ \text{Margin of Error} = 1.96 \times 0.04932 \approx 0.0967 \]

To express the margin of error as a percentage, multiply by 100: \[ \text{Margin of Error} \approx 0.0967 \times 100 \approx 9.67% \]

Thus, rounding appropriately, the margin of error is approximately 10%.

The correct answer is 10%.