least squares

least squares
noun
a method of fitting a curve to data points so as to minimize the sum of the squares of the distances of the points from the curve
Topics: ↑statistics

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noun plural
: a statistical method of fitting a line or plane to a set of observational points in such a way that the sum of the squares of the distances of the points from the line or plane is a minimum

a straight line was fitted to the data by means of least squaresJournal of Research

a least squares fit of the best straight line to the points of Fig. 1 yields a slope — Physical Review

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Statistics.
a method of estimating values from a set of observations by minimizing the sum of the squares of the differences between the observations and the values to be found.
Also called least-squares method, method of least squares.
[1860-65]

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least squares,
Statistics. a method of determining the trend of a group of data when that trend can be represented on a graph by a straight line.

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n. a method of estimating a quantity or fitting a graph to data so as to minimize the sum of the squares of the differences between the observed values and the estimated values

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Least squares — Least Least (l[=e]st), a. [OE. last, lest, AS. l[=ae]sast, l[=ae]sest, superl. of l[=ae]ssa less. See {Less}, a.] [Used as the superlative of little.] Smallest, either in size or degree; shortest; lowest; most unimportant; as, the least insect;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • least squares — least′ squares′ n. sta a statistical method of estimating values from a set of observations by minimizing the sum of the squares of the differences between the observations and the values to be found Also called least′ squares′ meth od. Etymology …   From formal English to slang

  • least squares — n. a statistical method used to find the curve that most closely approximates a set of data: it is based on minimizing the sum of the squares of the differences between expected and observed values of the data …   English World dictionary

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  • Least Squares — A statistical method used to determine a line of best fit by minimizing the sum of squares created by a mathematical function. A square is determined by squaring the distance between a data point and the regression line. The least squares… …   Investment dictionary

  • least squares — Statistics. a method of estimating values from a set of observations by minimizing the sum of the squares of the differences between the observations and the values to be found. Also called least squares method, method of least squares. [1860 65] …   Universalium

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