The instructor’s sample produces a mean number of days absent of 3.5 days. This value is an example of a:

Population statistic

Populations have parameters, but samples have statistics. This is a measure of central tendency.

The value of 3.5 days, which represents the mean number of days absent in the instructor's sample, is an example of a statistic.

The value 3.5 days is an example of the mean number of days absent. The mean is a statistical measure that represents the average of a set of values. To calculate the mean, you add up all the values in the set and then divide the sum by the total number of values.

In this case, the instructor likely collected data on the number of days absent for a group of individuals, and then calculated the mean by adding up the number of days absent for each individual and dividing the sum by the total number of individuals.

To determine if the value 3.5 is an example of the mean, you would need to gather the data set on the number of days absent and perform the calculations yourself. If the sum of all the values divided by the number of values indeed equals 3.5, then the value is an example of the mean number of days absent.