Statistical distributions Normal distribution

The dynamic range of OSME and GC-SNIFF data is generally less than a factor of ten, whereas dilution analysis frequently yields data that cover three or four powers of ten. It has been determined, however, that compressive transforms (log, root 0.5, and so on) of dilution analysis data are needed to produce statistics with normally distributed error (Acree and Barnard, 1994). Odor Spectrum Values (OSVs) were designed to transform dilution analysis data, odor units, or any potency data into normalized values that are comparable from study to study and are appropriate for normal statistics. The OSV is determined from the equation ... 

The Monte Carlo exposure calculations described in this chapter are carried out with a flexible computer software program named DistGEN (Sielken Inc., 1995). This program allows exposure equations to be specified in the general computer language called FORTRAN, so they can have practically any form. Furthermore, the user-specified distributions for the components of the exposure equations can be selected from a wide variety of classical statistical distributions (normal, log-normal, etc. with user-specified parameter values) or from sample data (either the sample... 

From statistics, assuming normally distributed errors, the probability that the data and the model would differ so much that x2> Q is given by Eq. (19). 

Both fnnctions are tabulated in mathematical handbooks (Ref 1). The function P gives the goodness of fit. Call %o the value of at the minimum. Then P > 0.1 represents a believable fit i( Q > 0.001, it might be an acceptable fit smaller values of Q indicate the model may be in error (or the Q are really larger.) A typical valne of x for a moderately good fit is x V Asymptotically for large v, the statistic becomes normally distributed with a mean v anaa standard deviation V( (Ref 231). 

The mean, median and mode can be described for this data as shown in Fig. 7. The data is shown as a distribution curve and these can be defined mathematically according to which distribution they fit. Some distribution curves are shown in Fig. 8. The statistics involving normal distribution curves are illustrated in Fig. 9. 

Since there are numerous ways for synthesizing polymers, a molecular weight distribution does not always follow a one-parameter equation. Even the condensation polymers do not necessarily follow the most probable distribution, nor do addition polymers follow the Poisson distribution. In many cases we naturally consider classical statistics, the normal distribution. 

For commercial geotextUe products, not only are the characterisation methods chosen crucial for their apphcation performances, but also the reliability and reproducibility of the properties measured are critical for their quality assurance. Therefore, statistical values of the measured properties and performance of geotextiles of large batches such as minimum average roll values (MARVs) and typical values are usually required for the certain key properties of a batch of nonwoven geotextiles both of the two terms are defined based an assumption that the data obtained are statistically in normal distribution. 

The standardized variable (the z statistic) requires only the probability level to be specified. It measures the deviation from the population mean in units of standard deviation. Y is 0.399 for the most probable value, /x. In the absence of any other information, the normal distribution is assumed to apply whenever repetitive measurements are made on a sample, or a similar measurement is made on different samples. 

Vitha, M. F. Carr, P. W. A Laboratory Exercise in Statistical Analysis of Data, /. Chem. Educ. 1997, 74, 998-1000. Students determine the average weight of vitamin E pills using several different methods (one at a time, in sets of ten pills, and in sets of 100 pills). The data collected by the class are pooled together, plotted as histograms, and compared with results predicted by a normal distribution. The histograms and standard deviations for the pooled data also show the effect of sample size on the standard error of the mean. 

Interpreting Control Charts The purpose of a control chart is to determine if a system is in statistical control. This determination is made by examining the location of individual points in relation to the warning limits and the control limits, and the distribution of the points around the central line. If we assume that the data are normally distributed, then the probability of finding a point at any distance from the mean value can be determined from the normal distribution curve. The upper and lower control limits for a property control chart, for example, are set to +3S, which, if S is a good approximation for O, includes 99.74% of the data. The probability that a point will fall outside the UCL or LCL, therefore, is only 0.26%. The... 

The proof that these expressions are equivalent to Eq. (1.35) under suitable conditions is found in statistics textbooks. We shall have occasion to use the Poisson approximation to the binomial in discussing crystallization of polymers in Chap. 4, and the distribution of molecular weights of certain polymers in Chap. 6. The normal distribution is the familiar bell-shaped distribution that is known in academic circles as the curve. We shall use it in discussing diffusion in Chap. 9. 

Particle size distribution is usually plotted on a log-probabiHty scale, which allows for quick evaluation of statistical parameters. Many naturally occurring and synthetic powders foUow a normal distribution, which gives a straight line when the log of the diameter is plotted against the percent occurrence. However, bimodal or other nonnormal distributions are also encountered in practice. 

The degree of data spread around the mean value may be quantified using the concept of standard deviation. O. If the distribution of data points for a certain parameter has a Gaussian or normal distribution, the probabiUty of normally distributed data that is within Fa of the mean value becomes 0.6826 or 68.26%. There is a 68.26% probabiUty of getting a certain parameter within X F a, where X is the mean value. In other words, the standard deviation, O, represents a distance from the mean value, in both positive and negative directions, so that the number of data points between X — a and X -H <7 is 68.26% of the total data points. Detailed descriptions on the statistical analysis using the Gaussian distribution can be found in standard statistics reference books (11). 

Many distribution functions can be apphed to strength data of ceramics but the function that has been most widely apphed is the WeibuU function, which is based on the concept of failure at the weakest link in a body under simple tension. A normal distribution is inappropriate for ceramic strengths because extreme values of the flaw distribution, not the central tendency of the flaw distribution, determine the strength. One implication of WeibuU statistics is that large bodies are weaker than small bodies because the number of flaws a body contains is proportional to its volume. 

Statistical Criteria. Sensitivity analysis does not consider the probabiUty of various levels of uncertainty or the risk involved (28). In order to treat probabiUty, statistical measures are employed to characterize the probabiUty distributions. Because most distributions in profitabiUty analysis are not accurately known, the common assumption is that normal distributions are adequate. The distribution of a quantity then can be characterized by two parameters, the expected value and the variance. These usually have to be estimated from meager data. 

Characterization of Chance Occurrences To deal with a broad area of statistical apphcations, it is necessary to charac terize the way in which random variables will varv by chance alone. The basic-foundation for this characteristic is laid through a density called the gaussian, or normal, distribution. 

The probabihty-density function for the normal distribution cui ve calculated from Eq. (9-95) by using the values of a, b, and c obtained in Example 10 is also compared with precise values in Table 9-10. In such symmetrical cases the best fit is to be expected when the median or 50 percentile Xm is used in conjunction with the lower quartile or 25 percentile Xl or with the upper quartile or 75 percentile X[j. These statistics are frequently quoted, and determination of values of a, b, and c by using Xm with Xl and with Xu is an indication of the symmetry of the cui ve. When the agreement is reasonable, the mean v ues of o so determined should be used to calculate the corresponding value of a. 

When a distribufion of particle sizes which must be collected is present, the aclual size distribution must be converted to a mass distribution by aerodynamic size. Frequently the distribution can be represented or approximated by a log-normal distribution (a straight line on a log-log plot of cumulative mass percent of particles versus diameter) wmich can be characterized by the mass median particle diameter dp5o and the standard statistical deviation of particles from the median [Pg.1428]

Gaussian Distribution The best-known statistical distribution is the normal, or Gaussian, whose equation is... 

The above assumes that the measurement statistics are known. This is rarely the case. Typically a normal distribution is assumed for the plant and the measurements. Since these distributions are used in the analysis of the data, an incorrect assumption will lead to further bias in the resultant troubleshooting, model, and parameter estimation conclusions. 

This is a formidable analysis problem. The number and impact of uncertainties makes normal pant-performance analysis difficult. Despite their limitations, however, the measurements must be used to understand the internal process. The measurements have hmited quahty, and they are sparse, suboptimal, and biased. The statistical distributions are unknown. Treatment methods may add bias to the conclusions. The result is the potential for many interpretations to describe the measurements equaUv well. 

Different tests for estimation the accuracy of fit and prediction capability of the retention models were investigated in this work. Distribution of the residuals with taking into account their statistical weights chai acterizes the goodness of fit. For the application of statistical weights the scedastic functions of retention factor were constmcted. Was established that random errors of the retention factor k ai e distributed normally that permits to use the statistical criteria for prediction capability and goodness of fit correctly. 

The data used to generate the maps is taken from a simple statistical analysis of the manufacturing process and is based on an assumption that the result will follow a Normal distribution. A number of component characteristics (for example, a length or diameter) are measured and the achievable tolerance at different conformance levels is calculated. This is repeated at different characteristic sizes to build up a relationship between the characteristic dimension and achievable tolerance for the manufacture process. Both the material and geometry of the component to be manufactured are considered to be ideal, that is, the material properties are in specification, and there are no geometric features that create excessive variability or which are on the limit of processing feasibility. Standard practices should be used when manufacturing the test components and it is recommended that a number of different operators contribute to the results. 

Data that is not evenly distributed is better represented by a skewed distribution such as the Lognormal or Weibull distribution. The empirically based Weibull distribution is frequently used to model engineering distributions because it is flexible (Rice, 1997). For example, the Weibull distribution can be used to replace the Normal distribution. Like the Lognormal, the 2-parameter Weibull distribution also has a zero threshold. But with increasing numbers of parameters, statistical models are more flexible as to the distributions that they may represent, and so the 3-parameter Weibull, which includes a minimum expected value, is very adaptable in modelling many types of data. A 3-parameter Lognormal is also available as discussed in Bury (1999). 

Another consideration when using the approach is the assumption that stress and strength are statistically independent however, in practical applications it is to be expected that this is usually the case (Disney et al., 1968). The random variables in the design are assumed to be independent, linear and near-Normal to be used effectively in the variance equation. A high correlation of the random variables in some way, or the use of non-Normal distributions in the stress governing function are often sources of non-linearity and transformations methods should be considered. 

Before a probabilistic model can be developed, the variables involved must be determined. It is assumed that the variables all follow the Normal distribution and that they are statistically independent, i.e. not correlated in anyway. The scatter of the pre-load, F, using an air tool with a clutch is approximately 30% of the mean, which gives the coefficient of variation, = 0.1, assuming 3cr covers this range, therefore ... 

Mathematica hasthisfunctionandmanyothersbuiltintoitssetof "add-on" packagesthatare standardwiththesoftware.Tousethemweloadthepackage "Statistics NormalDistribution The syntax for these functions is straightforward we specify the mean and the standard deviation in the normal distribution, and then we use this in the probability distribution function (PDF) along with the variable to be so distributed. The rest of the code is self-evident. 

Due to its nature, random error cannot be eliminated by calibration. Hence, the only way to deal with it is to assess its probable value and present this measurement inaccuracy with the measurement result. This requires a basic statistical manipulation of the normal distribution, as the random error is normally close to the normal distribution. Figure 12.10 shows a frequency histogram of a repeated measurement and the normal distribution f(x) based on the sample mean and variance. The total area under the curve represents the probability of all possible measured results and thus has the value of unity. 

The t (Student s t) distribution is an unbounded distribution where the mean is zero and the variance is v/(v - 2), v being the scale parameter (also called degrees of freedom ). As v -> < , the variance —> 1 (standard normal distribution). A t table such as Table 1-19 is used to find values of the t statistic where... 

Measures of potency are log normally distributed. Only p-scale values (i.e., pEC50) should be used for statistical tests. 

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