Statistical Literacy & Critical Thinking

1. Poll Results in the Media USA Today provided results from a poll of 1000 adults who were asked to identify their favorite pie. Among the 1000 respondents, 14% chose chocolate pie, and the margin of error was given as 4 percentage points. What important feature of the poll was omitted?

2. Margin of Error: For the poll described above, describe what is meant by the statement that "the margin of error was given as 4 percentage points."

3. Notation: For the poll described above, what values do(p),(q),n,E,andp represent? If the confidence level is 95%, what is the value of ?

4. Confidence Levels: Given specific sample data, such as the data given above, which confidence interval is wider: the 95% confidence interval or the 80% confidence interval? Why is it wider?