What type of plot illustrates the extent to which sales ratios are in a normal distribution?

A histogram is the most suitable type of plot for illustrating the extent to which sales ratios are in a normal distribution. This graphical representation displays the frequency of different ranges of values (bins) for the sales ratios. By showing how many ratios fall within each interval, a histogram can effectively depict the shape of the distribution.

When assessing the normality of sales ratios, the bell-shaped curve that characterizes a normal distribution would typically emerge in a histogram. Observers can evaluate the spread and central tendency of the data, as well as identify any skewness or kurtosis. In essence, the visual representation allows for an easy identification of whether the data approximates a normal distribution, making the histogram a powerful tool in mass appraisal analysis.

In contrast, scatter plots reveal relationships between two variables but do not effectively convey the distribution of a single variable's values. Line charts are primarily used to depict trends over time and are not designed for analyzing distributions. Box plots provide information about the median, quartiles, and potential outliers in the dataset but do not give a clear picture of the overall distribution shape. Thus, a histogram stands out as the most appropriate choice for this particular analysis.