Problem
To estimate the percentage of a state's voters who support the current governor for reelection, three newspapers each survey a simple random sample of voters. Each paper calculates the percentage of voters in its sample who support the governor and uses that as an estimate for the population parameter. Here are the results: - The Tribune: $n=1100$ voters sampled; sample estimate $=71 \%$ - The Herald. $n=900$ voters sampled; sample estimate $=67 \%$ - The Times: $n=700$ voters sampled; sample estimate $=81 \%$ All else being equal, which newspaper's estimate is likely to be closest to the actual percentage of voters who support the governor for reelection? A. The Herald, at $67 \%$ B. The Tribune, at $71 \%$ C. The Times, at $81 \%$
Solution
Step 1 ：Compare the sample sizes of the three newspapers: The Tribune (1100), The Herald (900), and The Times (700)
Step 2 ：Determine the largest sample size: The Tribune (1100)
Step 3 ：The newspaper with the largest sample size will give the most accurate estimate of the population parameter
Step 4 ：\(\boxed{\text{The Tribune, at } 71 \%}\) is likely to be closest to the actual percentage of voters who support the governor for reelection
