The term that best describes the average number of cell phones owned by 100 households in the United States is?

The average number of cell phones owned by 100 households in the United States represents a measurable quantity obtained from a specific subset of households, making it a sample statistic. This average is derived from a defined group (the 100 households) as opposed to the entire population (all households in the United States).

In statistics, a sample statistic provides essential insights drawn from a chosen sample, which can then be used to make inferences about the larger population. Since the number of cell phones is calculated from this smaller group, it reflects characteristics of the sample rather than the entire population, hence the correct classification as a sample statistic.

The other terms pertain to broader concepts: a population statistic would imply calculations based on all possible households, a population parameter indicates a fixed measure for the entire population, and a sample parameter typically refers to an estimated value pertaining to a sample, though this is less common than the term sample statistic.