Question

Identify whether the given value is a statistic or a parameter.

Triangle Fire Fatalities: A deadly disaster in the United States was the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York City. A population of 146 garment workers died in that fire.

Short answer

The group of 146 garment workers who died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire represents a parameter.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

In the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, a population of 146 garment workers died.

Statistic and parameter

Statistical values such as mean and standard deviation that are calculated using the sample are called statistics. For example, the mean length of pencils (in cm) equal to 13 is computed from a sample of 30 pencils. Thus, the value 13 is a statistic.

Statistical values such as mean and standard deviation that are calculated using the population are called parameters. For example, the mean weight of mice (in g) equal to 30 is computed from an entire population of 700 mice. Thus, the value 30 is a parameter.

Identification of a statistic or a parameter

The value of 146 garment workers who died in the disaster comprises all the workers of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. It is the size of a population.

Therefore, it is a parameter.