9.13. Sampling Tool

Use the sampling tool to take a sample of a data set. This tool can take both a random sample of a given size or a periodic sample where, for example, every fourth value of the data set is taken to the sample.

To use this tool, first specify the data set by setting the ``Input Range:'' entry. Then select the sampling method which can be either periodic or random. Periodic sampling requires that you specify the period by typing a number to the ``Period:'' entry. For example, if you specify the period to be three then you will get a sample that has every third value of the original data set. Random sampling requires that you specify the size of the random sample in ``Number of Samples:'' entry. The size cannot be larger than the original data set since each value of the original data set is taken at most once to the sample.