The answer to the question is decide if a lot meets predetermined standards.
Acceptance sampling is a statistical method used to determine whether a batch of products or services meets a certain quality standard. It is typically used when 100% inspection is not feasible or cost-effective.
The primary purpose of acceptance sampling is to make a decision about whether to accept or reject a lot of product. This decision is based on the number of defective items found in a randomly selected sample.
The other options are not the primary purpose of acceptance sampling. Detecting and eliminating defectives is a goal of quality control, but it is not the same as acceptance sampling.
Estimating process quality is a related task, but it is not the same as deciding whether a lot of product meets a certain standard. Identifying processes that are out of control is typically done using control charts, not acceptance sampling.
Determining whether defective items found in sampling should be replaced is a decision that is made on a case-by-case basis, and it is not the primary purpose of acceptance sampling.