Question

You just saw an ad on television that states the majority of the population would vote to make smoking illegal. The poll that is referenced shows 53% of those asked supported making smoking illegal. In the fine print at the bottom of the screen, you see that the margin of error is +/- 3%. What is your reaction? Explain.

Answer 1

Given a point estimate of proportion P^=0.53

and Margin of error = M.E. = +/- 0.03

now we calculate confidence interval for population proportion p

Confidence Interval

(p^-M.E. < p < p^ + M.E. )

( 0.53 - 0.03 < p < 0.53+0.03 )

(0.5 < p < 0.56)

The obtainded confidence interval is ( 0.5 ; 0.56) The result state that majority of population do not want smoking to be legalized because the proportion of people agreeing for making smoking illegal is more than or equal to 50% In addition, the population proportion lies between 50% to 56% which is also more than or equal to 50%

The person should support in favor of making smoking illega.