Surveys and Sampling

A survey is a set of questions you ask people to learn about their opinions or habits. You cannot always ask everyone, so you pick a smaller group called a sample. Math helps make sure the sample represents the bigger group.

Designing a Survey

A good survey has clear questions. Instead of asking do you like food, you might ask what is your favorite fruit. The answers are easier to count and compare.

You can ask yes-or-no questions, multiple choice questions, or rating questions. Keep the survey short so people finish it.

What Is a Sample?

A sample is a small group picked from a bigger group. If you want to know what all third graders in your state think, you cannot ask every single one. Instead, you pick a sample of 100 students.

A good sample includes different kinds of people. If you only ask kids from one school, your results might not match the whole state.

Fun Facts

• Political polls are surveys that try to predict who will win an election.
• The United States Census is a survey of every person in the country, done every 10 years.
• Online surveys can reach thousands of people in just a few hours.

Did You Know?

In 1936, a magazine predicted the wrong winner of the presidential election because their sample was not representative. This mistake changed how surveys are done forever!