Sample Size For Tolerance limits on a Normal Distribution

Sample size tables are given for tolerance limits on a normal distribution. Wald-Wolfowitz two-sided limits and one-sided limits are considered. The criterion used for determining sample size is as follows: For a tolerance limit such that Pr (coverage ≥ P) = γ, choose P′ > P and δ (small) and require Pr (coverage ≥ P′) ≤ δ. Five levels of P, three levels of γ, three levels of P′, and three levels of δ are used in the tables. The tables are given for the common case where the degrees of freedom for the x2 is one less than the sample size, but it is shown how to use the tables for other cases which occur in simple linear regression and some experimental designs. Examples are given to illustrate the use of the tables.