Line of Best Fit

Definition

The line of best fit is a straight line that represents the overall trend or relationship between two variables in a scatter plot. It is used to make predictions and estimate values.

Analogy

Think of the line of best fit as a path through a forest. It's like finding the most efficient route that passes close to as many trees (data points) as possible, allowing you to navigate through the forest with ease.

Related terms

Scatter Plot: A scatter plot is a graph that displays individual data points for two variables. It helps visualize relationships between variables.

Residuals: Residuals are the differences between observed data points and predicted values on the line of best fit. They measure how well the line fits the data.

Extrapolation: Extrapolation involves extending the line of best fit beyond the range of observed data to make predictions. However, it can be less reliable than interpolation within the observed range.