The accuracy of graphs to describe size distributions

Rafael González-Val, Arturo Ramos and Fernando Sanz-Gracia

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: This paper analyses the performance of the graphs traditionally used to study size distributions: histograms, Zipf plots (double logarithmic graphs of rank compared to size) and plotted cumulative density functions. A lognormal distribution is fitted to urban data from three countries (the US, Spain and Italy) over all of the 20th century. We explain the advantages and disadvantages associated with these graphic methods and derive some statistical properties.

Keywords: city size distribution; Zipf plot; lognormal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C16 R00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (17)

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Related works:
Journal Article: The accuracy of graphs to describe size distributions (2013)
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