Calculator: Infinite Population Survey
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Usar 50% si no tienes estimación previa
TL; DR
For populations over 100,000 users, the infinite population formula simplifies calculation without statistical precision loss. Ideal for mass market research, social networks, or when population size is unknown.
Why use infinite population?
When your population exceeds 100,000 individuals, or when you don't know its exact size, you can use the infinite population formula. The industry 5% rule states that if your sample is less than 5% of the population, you can treat it as infinite without precision loss.
This approximation significantly simplifies statistical calculation while maintaining academic rigor. It's especially useful in mass market research where exact population is difficult to determine.
Simplified Formula
n = Z² × p × q / E²
Z = Z-score of confidence level (1.96 for 95%) | p = Expected proportion (0.5 conservative)
q = 1 - p | E = Desired margin of error (0.05 for ±5%)
Note: This formula doesn't require knowing N (population size), making it practical for very large or unknown populations.
Typical use cases
Mass market research: National or regional consumer research
Social networks: Studies of platforms with millions of users
Unknown population: When you can't determine exact size (e.g., anonymous web visitors)
Academic research: Studies with very large populations where exact size is irrelevant
Practical advantages
Simplicity: No need to know exact population size
Conservatism: Produces slightly larger samples, increasing confidence
Academic standard: Widely accepted in publications and research
Scalability: Works equally for 100,000 or 100,000,000 users