Fitting the Generalized Lambda Distribution (GLD) System by A Method of Percentiles, II: Tables

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACT

The Generalized Lambda Distribution, GLD(λ₁, λ₂, λ₃, λ₄), is a four-parameter family that has been used for fitting distributions to data sets. With rare exceptions, the method of moments has been used for estimating the GLD parameters, making it impossible to fit a GLD distribution whose first four moments do not exist. This paper deals with the use of an estimation method that is based on percentiles. To provide practitioners ready access to this method, extensive tables are provided to facilitate parameter estimation.

This research paper was supported by NATO Research Grant No. CRG 931030 and a Robert C. Good Fellowship from Denison University.

Key Words and Phrases:

• data fitting
• generalized lambda distribution
• generalized beta distribution
• system of probability distributions
• method of moments
• method of percentiles