ABSTRACT
For the moment, let us consider the general problem of deciding whether to accept a lot from a vendor, subcontractor, or another department or line. This can of course be done by inspecting or testing every item or piece in the lot. But this can be expensive and time consuming. Moreover, it is quite often unnecessary, as we shall see. Sound decisions can often be made from a sample from the lot. The criteria of quality of pieces and of the lot may be on the basis of measurements or the presence or absence of defects, that is, by attributes. It is the latter class of criteria, which we will take up in this chapter and the next. Sampling acceptance by measurements is discussed in Chapter 10.
