In two sample surveys, 125 people were asked about their favorite fruit. In the first survey, 40 people chose apples, 64 chose oranges, and 21 chose bananas. In the second, 43 chose apples, 63 chose oranges, and 19 chose bananas. Marianne inferred that most people prefer oranges. Is this inference true based on the data? Explain.

Answer:

Yes, the inference is true. In both surveys, more than half of the respondents (64 out of 125 and 63 out of 125) chose oranges, which is more than the number of people who chose apples or bananas. Because the results are consistent across both samples, it is a valid inference that oranges are the favorite fruit of the population.