Question 10 (Multiple Choice, Worth 2 points)

A college cafeteria is looking for a new dessert to offer its 4,000 students. The table shows the preference of 225 students.

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|}
\hline
Ice Cream & Candy & Cake & Pie & Cookies \\
\hline
81 & 9 & 72 & 36 & 27 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

Which statement is the best prediction about the number of cookies the college will need?

A. The college will have about 480 students who prefer cookies.
B. The college will have about 640 students who prefer cookies.
C. The college will have about 1,280 students who prefer cookies.
D. The college will have about 1,440 students who prefer cookies.



Answer :

To determine how many students from the entire college population might prefer cookies, we can use the data from the sample of 225 students. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Identify the Total Population and Sample Size:
The total number of students in the college is 4,000.
The number of students sampled is 225.

2. Identify the Number of Students in the Sample Who Prefer Cookies:
According to the table, 27 out of 225 sampled students prefer cookies.

3. Calculate the Proportion of Students in the Sample Who Prefer Cookies:
The proportion (or ratio) can be calculated by dividing the number of students who prefer cookies by the total number of students sampled:
[tex]\[ \text{Proportion} = \frac{\text{Number of students who prefer cookies}}{\text{Total number of students sampled}} = \frac{27}{225} \][/tex]
This proportion simplifies to:
[tex]\[ \text{Proportion} = 0.12 \][/tex]

4. Use the Proportion to Predict the Number of Students in the Total Population Who Prefer Cookies:
To estimate the number of students in the entire college who would prefer cookies, we multiply this proportion by the total number of students:
[tex]\[ \text{Predicted number of students who prefer cookies} = \text{Proportion} \times \text{Total number of students} = 0.12 \times 4,000 \][/tex]
This calculation results in:
[tex]\[ 0.12 \times 4,000 = 480 \][/tex]

Hence, based on the sampling data, the best prediction about the number of cookies the college will need is that approximately 480 students will prefer cookies.

Correct Answer:
The college will have about 480 students who prefer cookies.