y=ax+b

[shanepby]

I have a bonus question my professor has posted and I have been unable to find the answer. I have a TI83+ calculator and I couldn't find the answer I need at TI's website either.

When the calculator gives the linear regression y=ax+b, it calculates a & b for you. Determine how the calculator does this. Alos, what are these formulas and explain why we use those values.

Thanks, Shane

 

[tkhunny]

It must have some sort of definition of "closest" or "most representative". There are many possible such definitions. I believe it would be safe to say that "least-squares" is the most popular. Search the web for "least-squares regression" and you should find something meaningful. I managed over 60,000 hits when I tried it a moment ago.