The $\mathrm{sample}\mathrm{mean}$ is the best point estimate of the population mean.

• A. $\mathrm{sample}\mathrm{median}$
• B. $\mathrm{sample}\mathrm{mode}$
• C. $\mathrm{sample}\mathrm{variance}$
• D. $\mathrm{sample}\mathrm{mean}$

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a point estimate is a single value used to estimate a population parameter based on sample data.
2. Recall that the population mean is a measure of central tendency representing the average of all values in the population.
3. Recognize that the sample mean is calculated by summing all sample observations and dividing by the sample size, given by the formula: \(\text{sample mean} = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^n x_i}{n}\).
4. Know that the sample mean is an unbiased estimator of the population mean, meaning its expected value equals the population mean, making it the best point estimate for the population mean.
5. Contrast this with other statistics like the sample median, mode, or variance, which estimate different population parameters or characteristics and are not the best point estimates for the population mean.