Select the correct answer.

If [tex]\(\hat{p}\)[/tex] is a given sample proportion, [tex]\(n\)[/tex] is the sample size, and [tex]\(z\)[/tex] is the number of standard deviations at a confidence level, what is the standard error of the proportion?

A. [tex]\(\sqrt{\frac{p(p-1)}{n}}\)[/tex]

B. [tex]\(\sqrt{\frac{\hat{p}(1-\hat{p})}{n}}\)[/tex]

C. [tex]\(n \sqrt{\hat{p}(1-\hat{p})}\)[/tex]

D. [tex]\(z \sqrt{\frac{\hat{p}(1-\hat{p})}{n}}\)[/tex]



Answer :

To determine the standard error of the proportion for a sample proportion [tex]\(\hat{p}\)[/tex], where [tex]\(n\)[/tex] is the sample size, we use the following formula:

[tex]\[ \text{Standard Error (SE)} = \sqrt{\frac{\hat{p}(1 - \hat{p})}{n}} \][/tex]

Let's analyze the given options to find the correct one:

A. [tex]\(\sqrt{\frac{p(p-1)}{n}}\)[/tex]

This option incorrectly uses [tex]\(p(p-1)\)[/tex] instead of [tex]\(\hat{p}(1 - \hat{p})\)[/tex], making it incorrect.

B. [tex]\(\sqrt{\frac{\dot{p}(1-\hat{p})}{n}}\)[/tex]

This option correctly follows the form of the standard error formula, [tex]\(\sqrt{\frac{\hat{p}(1 - \hat{p})}{n}}\)[/tex], but the notation [tex]\(\hat{p}\)[/tex] should be used consistently. Nevertheless, it represents the correct mathematical formulation.

C. [tex]\(n \sqrt{\hat{p}(1-\hat{p})}\)[/tex]

This option includes a factor of [tex]\(n\)[/tex] inside the square root, which is not part of the standard error formula. Thus, this is incorrect.

D. [tex]\(z \sqrt{\frac{\hat{p}(1-\dot{p})}{n}}\)[/tex]

This option incorrectly introduces [tex]\(z\)[/tex] as a multipler, which is not part of the standard error formula. This is incorrect as well.

Given these choices, the correct answer is option B: [tex]\(\sqrt{\frac{\hat{p}(1-\hat{p})}{n}}\)[/tex].

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