Question a-cert
A certain forest is 253 acres. To estimate the number of trees in the forest, a ranger randomly selects 5 different 1-acre parcels in the forest and determines the number of trees in each parcel. The numbers of trees in the sample acres are 51, 59, 45, 52, and 73. Based on the mean of the sample, which of the following ranges contains the best estimate for the number of trees in the entire forest?
11,000 to 12,000
12,500 to 13,500
13,500 to 14,500
18,000 to 19,000
A certain forest is 253 acres. To estimate the number of trees in the forest, a
Medium-difficulty · SAT Math · Inference from Samples & Margin of Error — Population parameter estimation. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.
Answer explanation
Choice C is correct. The mean of the 5 samples is 
trees per acre. The best estimate for the total number of trees in the forest is the product of the mean number of trees per acre in the sample and the total number of acres in the forest. This is (56)(253) = 14,168, which is between 13,500 and 14,500.
Choice A is incorrect and may result from multiplying the minimum number of trees per acre in the sample, 45, by the number of acres, 253. Choice B is incorrect and may result from multiplying the median number of trees per acre in the sample, 52, by the number of acres, 253. Choice D is incorrect and may result from multiplying the maximum number of trees per acre in the sample, 73, by the number of acres, 253.
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