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    Least Squares Fitting

    Basic definition

    A mathematical procedure for finding the best-fitting curve to a given set of points by minimizing the sum of the curve's squared offsets from the data.

    Detailed definition

    A mathematical procedure for finding the best-fitting curve to a given set of points by minimizing the sum of the squares of the offsets ("the residuals") of the points from the curve. The sum of the squares of the offsets is used instead of the offset absolute values because this allows the residuals to be treated as a continuous differentiable quantity. However, because squares of the offsets are used, outlying points can have a disproportionate effect on the fit, a property which may or may not be desirable depending on the problem at hand.

    Educational grade level

    college level (AP statistics)

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