Line of Best Fit

Definition

The line of best fit, also known as the regression line, is a line that best represents the relationship between two variables in a scatter plot. It is used to make predictions and analyze the strength of the linear relationship between the variables.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The line of best fit is used to make predictions about the dependent variable based on the independent variable.
2. The slope of the line of best fit represents the rate of change between the two variables.
3. The y-intercept of the line of best fit represents the value of the dependent variable when the independent variable is zero.
4. The strength of the linear relationship between the variables is determined by the correlation coefficient, which ranges from -1 to 1.
5. The coefficient of determination (R-squared) represents the percentage of the variation in the dependent variable that is explained by the independent variable.

Review Questions

• Explain how the line of best fit is used to make predictions about the dependent variable.
  • The line of best fit is used to make predictions about the dependent variable based on the independent variable. The equation of the line of best fit, $y = mx + b$, where $m$ is the slope and $b$ is the y-intercept, can be used to calculate the predicted value of the dependent variable ($y$) for a given value of the independent variable ($x$). This allows for the estimation of the dependent variable based on the linear relationship between the two variables.
• Describe how the correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination are used to analyze the strength of the linear relationship between the variables.
  • The correlation coefficient, $r$, measures the strength and direction of the linear relationship between the two variables. It ranges from -1 to 1, with -1 indicating a perfect negative linear relationship, 0 indicating no linear relationship, and 1 indicating a perfect positive linear relationship. The coefficient of determination, $R^2$, represents the proportion of the variance in the dependent variable that is predictable from the independent variable. It is calculated as the square of the correlation coefficient, $R^2 = r^2$, and can be interpreted as the percentage of the variation in the dependent variable that is explained by the independent variable.
• Explain how the least squares method is used to determine the equation of the line of best fit.
  • The least squares method is a statistical technique used to determine the equation of the line of best fit by minimizing the sum of the squared vertical distances between the data points and the line. This method finds the values of the slope, $m$, and the y-intercept, $b$, that minimize the sum of the squared differences between the actual values of the dependent variable and the predicted values from the line of best fit. The resulting equation, $y = mx + b$, represents the line that best fits the data and can be used to make predictions about the dependent variable.

Related terms

Correlation:

Correlation measures the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables.

Least Squares Method:

The least squares method is a statistical technique used to determine the equation of the line of best fit by minimizing the sum of the squared vertical distances between the data points and the line.

Coefficient of Determination (R-squared): The coefficient of determination, or R-squared, is a statistical measure that represents the proportion of the variance in the dependent variable that is predictable from the independent variable.