Skip to content

ACCA Applied Knowledge · Management Accounting · Sampling methods

A population of 1,200 invoices is to be sampled using systematic sampling. A sample of 40 invoices is required and the first invoice is randomly chosen as number 17 from the first interval. Which invoice number will be the fourth item selected?

The fourth invoice selected is number 107. The sampling interval is 1,200 divided by 40, which is 30, so selections run 17, 47, 77 and 107. The fourth item is found by adding three intervals of 30 to the random start of 17.

  1. A107Correct
  2. B77
  3. C47
  4. D137

Explanation

The sampling interval is 1,200 / 40 = 30. The selected items are 17, 47, 77 and 107. The fourth item is therefore 107. The option 77 is wrong because it is the third item, which comes from counting the starting point incorrectly.

Did you get it right without looking?

One question tells you little. A timed set on Sampling methods shows your real accuracy, how long you take and where you lose marks.

Practise Sampling methodsFree diagnostic mock

More Sampling methods questions