Obtaining Coefficients and Uncertainties for a Least-Squares Parabola

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around obtaining coefficients and uncertainties for a least-squares parabola, particularly in the context of a lab report related to Maxwell's Disc. The original poster expresses frustration with the complexity of the coefficient expressions and the challenge of calculating uncertainties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the methods for linear least-squares regression and express a desire to apply similar techniques to parabolic least-squares. There are attempts to derive expressions for coefficients and uncertainties, with some questioning the necessity of logarithmic transformations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different approaches to the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding linear regression methods, but there is no clear consensus on how to proceed with the parabolic case or the calculation of uncertainties.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the coefficient expressions and the specific need for uncertainty calculations, which are crucial for the lab report. There is also mention of using Matlab functions, which do not provide uncertainty values.

diegojco
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I have tried to find some information of the expresions for a least-squares parabola coefficients (including their uncertaintities), then I have tried to do it for myself using the minimum condition for partial derivatives as same as with the least-squares line, but the expressions of coefs are so complex, and then I have no idea to obtain uncertaintities. In Matlab are a function to get the coefficients but not the uncertaintities, and I am upset, since I must get how to obtain uncertaintities, it's fundamental for a lab report on Maxwell's Disc.

Please Help Me!
 
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For the linear least-squares regression we can get:

y=ax+b

a=(Σxy-nxmeanymean)/(Σ(x^2)-n(xmean^2))

b=ymean-axmean

and their uncertaintities:

Δa=sqrt((Σ((y-(ax)-b)^2))/(n-2))/sqrt(Σ(x^2)-n(xmean^2))

Δb=sqrt((Σ((y-(ax)-b)^2))/(n-2))*sqrt((1/n)+((xmean^2)/D))

where D=(Σ(x^2)-n(xmean^2)). hence we have that the ecuation is:

y=(a±Δa)x+(b±Δb)

Well I'm triying to do the same for a parabolic least-squares.
 
for a parabolic least squares, you need to use logarithms.
/s
 
plot you graph on log paper. it should make a stright line.
 

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