Samantha and Luis are attempting to determine the average number of library books that seventh-grade students check out at one time. Samantha surveys every other seventh grade student leaving the library. She samples a total of 40 of the 200 seventh graders. Luis samples 30 of the 200 seventh grade students at random in the school cafeteria. Whose sample is the most random?
Answer
A
Samantha because she samples more students
B
Luis because he samples fewer students
C
Samantha because her sample is taken from the population of students who use the library
D
Luis because his sample is taken from the population of all seventh graders
Explanation
Luis’s sample is more random for estimating the average among all seventh graders because he randomly selects students from the full population of 200 seventh graders. Samantha only surveys students leaving the library, so her sample is limited to students who use the library and may not represent all seventh graders. The larger size of Samantha’s sample does not remove that sampling bias.
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