/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 22 A study of fast-food intake is d... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

A study of fast-food intake is described in the paper "What People Buy From Fast-Food Restaurants" (Obesity [2009]: \(1369-1374\) ). Adult customers at three hamburger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's) at lunchtime in New York City were approached as they entered the restaurant and were asked to provide their receipt when exiting. The receipts were then used to determine what was purchased and the number of calories consumed. The sample mean number of calories consumed was \(857,\) and the sample standard deviation was 677 . This information was used to learn about the mean number of calories consumed in a New York fast-food lunch.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The exercise presents a statistical study on the average number of calories consumed by adult customers at lunchtime in fast-food restaurants in New York. The data set represents a sample with a sample mean of 857 and a standard deviation of 677.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the problem statement

This problem involves a sample of adult customers from three hamburger chains and their average calorie intake. The average calorie intake, or the sample mean, is given as 857 and the sample standard deviation is given as 677.
02

Understand the significance of the parameters

The mean is the average of the data set and the standard deviation gives us the dispersion or variability of the data from the mean.
03

Comprehending the data

The data provided is from a sample, not the entire population. A sample is a subset of the population. The researcher used the data from the sample to gain insights (inference) about the population.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Sample Mean
In statistics, the "sample mean" represents the average value of a particular dataset. It's calculated by adding up all the numbers in the sample and then dividing by the number of observations in the sample. For the fast-food intake study, the sample mean was noted as 857 calories. This means that, on average, adult customers who participated in this study consumed 857 calories during their fast-food lunch. To calculate it, if you had three sample calorie counts, such as 600, 900, and 1071, you would add them together to get 2571. You would then divide by three to find the average, which equals the sample mean of 857 calories. Understanding the sample mean is crucial as it gives a central value around which all other data points are scattered.
Standard Deviation
The term "standard deviation" is a statistical measurement that indicates the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values. In essence, it tells us how spread out the numbers are in our dataset. For instance, in the fast-food study, the standard deviation was found to be 677. A larger standard deviation means the data points are widely scattered around the mean, while a smaller one signifies that they are closely clustered. In our context, a standard deviation of 677 suggests that the calorie count from different fast-food meals can vary widely from the average of 857. Knowing the standard deviation helps in assessing the reliability of the sample mean and in understanding the variability of the data.
Calorie Intake
Calorie intake refers to the total number of calories consumed in the form of food and drink. In the context of this study, it relates to the calories from fast-food lunches taken by the sample group of adults. Tracking calorie intake is significant for numerous reasons, including health assessments and dietary adjustments. In the fast-food study scenario, understanding calorie intake helps in evaluating the nutritional aspect of fast-food meals and the potential impact on public health. Since the mean calorie intake was calculated, it highlights the typical consumption range and can be used to promote healthier eating habits or inform policy recommendations.
Data Sampling
The process of "data sampling" involves selecting a portion of a larger population to study. This is done to make inferences about the population without examining every individual in it. In the exercise, a sample of adult customers from three hamburger chains was selected to assess caloric intake. Sampling is critical because studying an entire population can be impractical or impossible. Sampling allows researchers to collect and analyze data quickly and cost-effectively. The key is to ensure the sample is representative of the overall population to give reliable results. In our study, the selected individuals represent fast-food customers at specific chains, providing necessary insights into typical fast-food calorie consumption.

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