A general linear-regression analysis applied to the 3-parameter Weibull distribution

The conventional techniques of linear regression analysis (linear least squares) applied to the 3-parameter Weibull distribution are extended (not modified), and new techniques are developed for the 3-parameter Weibull distribution. The three pragmatic estimation methods in this paper are simple, accurate, flexible, and powerful in dealing with difficult problems such as estimates of the 3 parameters becoming nonpositive. In addition, the inherent disadvantages of the 3-parameter Weibull distribution are revealed; the advantages of a new 3-parameter Weibull-like distribution over the original Weibull distribution are explored; and the potential of a 4-parameter Weibull-like distribution is briefly mentioned. This paper demonstrates how a general linear regression analysis or linear least-squares breaks away from the classical or modern nonlinear regression analysis or nonlinear least-squares. By adding a parameter to the simplest 2-parameter linear regression model (AB-model), two kinds of ABC models (elementary 3-parameter nonlinear regression models) are found, and then a 4-parameter AABC model is built as an example of multi-parameter nonlinear regression models. Although some other techniques are still necessary, additional applications of the ABC models are strongly implied