Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm trying to prove that the first 50 outputs from a given test is statistically similar to the entire test. [For those of you familiar with computer architecture, I'm actually trying to prove that the behavior of the first 50 encounters of a branch (taken or not taken) is statistically similar to the overall behavior of a branch throughout an entire SPEC int benchmark] I have two numbers for each branch encountered: The percentage taken for the first 50 encounters, then the percentage taken overall. I've tested hundreds of branches and have the results in tabular form. I know how to determine the error for a particular branch: | actual - test50 | / actual (where test50 is the outcome of the first 50 branches) but then how to I combine all of the errors? Can I just average them? Next, I need to some way to determine the statistical significance of the error. I mean, if I end up with an average error of 5%, how do I prove that that is "OK" or "NOT OK". There should be some sort of cutoff point. Sorry, but it's been years since I took statistics and I didn't save any of my old textbooks. Any help would be greatly appreciated. --Kim =========================================================================== This list is open to everyone. Occasionally, less thoughtful people send inappropriate messages. Please DO NOT COMPLAIN TO THE POSTMASTER about these messages because the postmaster has no way of controlling them, and excessive complaints will result in termination of the list. For information about this list, including information about the problem of inappropriate messages and information about how to unsubscribe, please see the web page at http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ ===========================================================================
