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Dataplot Vol 2 Vol 1

TRAPDF

Name:
    TRAPDF (LET)
Type:
    Library Function
Purpose:
    Compute the trapezoidal probability density function.
Description:
    The trapezoidal distribution has the following probability density function:

      f(x|a,b,c,d) = u*((x-a)/(b-a))       a <= x < b;
              = u                     b <= x < c;
              = u*((d-x)/(d-c))       c <= x < d;
              = 0                     elsewhere

    where

      u = 2/(d + c - b - a)
      abcd

    Trapezoidal distributions may be appropriate for modeling processes that can be represented by the following three stages:

    1. a growth stage
    2. a period of relative stability stage
    3. a decay stage

    The trapezoidal model is probably the simplest model of this type (i.e., the growth and decline stages are linear and the stability stage is constant). The generalized trapezoidal distribution allows more flexibility in modeling these stages.

    The uniform (no growth or decay stages) and triangular (no stable stage) distributions are special cases of the trapezoidal distribution.

Syntax:
    LET <y> = TRAPDF(<x>,<a>,<b>,< c><d>)
                            <SUBSET/EXCEPT/FOR qualification>
    where <x> is a variable, number, or parameter containing values in the interval (a,d);
                <a> is a number, parameter, or variable that specifies the first shape parameter;
                <b> is a number, parameter, or variable that specifies the second shape parameter;
                <c> is a number, parameter, or variable that specifies the third shape parameter;
                <d> is a number, parameter, or variable that specifies the fourth shape parameter;
                <y> is a variable or a parameter (depending on what <x> is) where the computed pdf value is stored;
    and where the <SUBSET/EXCEPT/FOR qualification> is optional.
Examples:
    LET A = TRAPDF(0.5,0,0.25,0.75,1)
    LET A = TRAPDF(0.5,A,B,C,D)
Default:
    None
Synonyms:
    None
Related Commands:
    TRACDF = Compute the trapezoidal cumulative distribution function.
    TRAPPF = Compute the trapezoidal percent point function.
    TRIPDF = Compute the triangular probability density function.
    UNIPDF = Compute the uniform probability density function.
    SEMPDF = Compute the semi-circular probability density function.
    NORPDF = Compute the normal probability density function.
Reference:
    "Generalized Trapezoidal Distributions", van Dorp and Kotz, Metrika, Vol. 58, Issue 1, July, 2003.
Applications:
    Distributional Modeling
Implementation Date:
    2004/1
Program:
    TITLE TRAPEZOIDAL DISTRIBUTION
    LET A = 0
    LET B = 1
    LET C = 5
    LET D = 10
    PLOT TRAPDF(X,A,B,C,D) FOR X = A 0.1 10
        
    plot generated by sample program

Date created: 2/3/2004
Last updated: 2/3/2004
Please email comments on this WWW page to alan.heckert@nist.gov.