STATGRAPHICS – Rev.

5/8/2009

Sampling Distributions

Summary
The Sampling Distributions procedure calculates tail areas and critical values for four common
sampling distributions. It also plots the calculated results.

Sample StatFolio: sampdist.sgp

Sample Data:
None.

Data Input
The data input dialog box is used to select the distribution to be evaluated.

Select one of the 4 distributions listed and specify the value of that distribution’s parameters. The
distributions are defined in the pdf document titled Probability Distributions.

 2009 by StatPoint Technologies, Inc. Sampling Distributions - 1

 STATGRAPHICS – Rev. 5/8/2009

Analysis Summary
The Analysis Summary shows the distribution selected and the values of its parameters.

Sampling Distributions
Distribution: Normal
Mean Std. Dev.
10 2

Area between 8.0 and 11.0 = 0.532809

Analysis Options
The Analysis Options dialog box is used to indicate the quantity that should be calculated and
plotted:

Two options are available:

1. Calculating areas under the probability density function - Specify values for the Lower
Limit and/or Upper Limit and select one of the first four radio buttons.

2. Calculating critical values – Specify a value for Area and select one of the last four radio
buttons.

 2009 by StatPoint Technologies, Inc. Sampling Distributions - 2

 STATGRAPHICS – Rev. 5/8/2009

Density Function
This pane plots the probability density function f(X) together with the critical values and
calculated area.
Normal Distribution (Mean=10,Std. Dev.=2 )

Probability = 0.532809
0.2

0.16

0.12
density

0.08

0.04

0
0 4 8 12 16 20

X: 8.0, 11.0

The values below the X axis are the lower and upper critical values. Probability indicates the
extent of the shaded area.

 2009 by StatPoint Technologies, Inc. Sampling Distributions - 3