How to Expand Log(a+b) for Best Fit Analysis?

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Expanding log(a+b) for best fit analysis is limited, with suggestions to factor it as log a + log(b+1) for specific cases. The discussion shifts to plotting the equation X^3 = (cY+d)^2, where participants note that it cannot be represented as a straight line graph. Transforming the equation into a y=mx+c form is deemed ineffective for achieving a linear relationship. While plotting x against log y can help find regression, it does not yield a straight line. The conversation concludes by seeking more context on the problem to determine the best fit constants c and d.
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anyoen know how to expand this? i can't think of any obvious way...
 
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What kind of result are you looking for - functions of a and b separately? As it stands, it is as simple as possible.
 
There's not much you can do. In some cases, it's useful to factor it as \log a+\log(b+1), but in general there's nothing simpler than the way you wrote it.
 
i have a deceptively simple question you see:

X^3 = (cY+d)^2

where c and d are constants, with x and y the variables. how would you plot the 2 variables as a straight line graph. I'm having an idiocy attack and can only think "log it..."
 
Take the log of Y and graph x, log y.
 
that doesn't plot that relationship as a straight line though does it?

i was under impression you had to transform [said equation] into a y=mx+c type form
 
Saoist said:
that doesn't plot that relationship as a straight line though does it?
i was under impression you had to transform [said equation] into a y=mx+c type form

You can't plot things like x^3=y^2 as a straight line on a normal graph.
 
I didn't mean that would give you a formula, but if you had a set of data, you could find the regression by plotting x, log y. It's not the answer but it's a way to get it.
 
Saoist said:
that doesn't plot that relationship as a straight line though does it?
i was under impression you had to transform [said equation] into a y=mx+c type form

No, none of log-log, log-linear or linear-log will make that equation a straight line.

What's the full context of the problem, do you have a number (more than 2) of x,y points and you wish to find constants c and d that give the "best fit" in some particular sense?
 

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