Logarithmic Regression Question (TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator)

  • Thread starter Thread starter MeesaWorldWide
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    equation Regression
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a logarithmic regression analysis of data related to the growth of bean plants under varying conditions. The original poster presents data on the average height of bean plants over several days and seeks to understand the necessity of switching the x and y values when performing logarithmic regression using a TI-84 Plus graphing calculator.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to clarify why switching the x and y values is necessary for obtaining a more accurate logarithmic equation, despite having already derived one without switching. They question the logic behind this requirement and express confusion regarding the definitions of the variables used in the equations.
  • Some participants inquire about the definitions of the variables and the operation of the TI-84 calculator, particularly regarding the assessment of the goodness of fit for the regression equations.
  • Others suggest considering the implications of minimizing errors in the regression process and question the validity of the alternative equation derived from switching the variables.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the regression results and the implications of variable assignment. There is no explicit consensus on the best approach, but several lines of reasoning are being examined, including the potential for different goodness of fit metrics.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that the question does not define which variables correspond to x and y, leading to further confusion about the regression process and the interpretation of results.

MeesaWorldWide
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
Thread moved from the technical forums to the schoolwork forums
TL;DR Summary: Exponential VS Logarithmic Regression (using the TI-84 Plus graphing calculator)

Here is the question:
A scientist examines the growth of bean plants under different growing conditions. The results of one trial are as follows:
Day: 1 3 5 9 11 15
Average height of bean plants (cm) 3.2 4.6 5.4 4.2 5.5 7.1

Determine a logarithmic equation that best represents the data.

I have entered this data into my calculator lists and used logarithmic regression (LnReg) to obtain the equation y = 3.22 + 1.07Lnx
However, the actual answer supposedly requires me to switch the x and y values (inverse), and then use LnReg on that, which produces a different equation: y = -17.30 + 15.60Lnx

I don't understand why I need to switch the x and y values if the data points already trend in a logarithmic fashion. The fact that I was able to use LnReg on the data to get an equation without switching the values should be enough, no? Why is is better to switch x and y first? Why can I not just use the first equation I found (which didn't involve switching anything)?

Thanks in advance for any clarity you can provide.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
MeesaWorldWide said:
Thanks in advance for any clarity you can provide.
Your data is "Day" and "Height" but your equations are in terms of variables ##x## and ##y## which you never define!
 
Sorry, should have clarified. If you are familiar with doing regression on a TI-84 calculator, there are two lists (L1 and L2) that the data gets entered into. I entered my time (Days) into L1 (x-axis) and my heights into L2 (y-axis). I am unsure why they need to be switched to get the best answer since I already get a logarithmic equation when Days is the independent variable and height is the dependent variable. My second equation that I stated is the supposed 'best' answer, but it has Days on the y axis and the height is the independent variable (?) which doesn't really make sense by itself.
Note that the question itself never defines for me which variables is x and which is y. The questions is written exactly as I typed it out here.
 
MeesaWorldWide said:
I am unsure why they need to be switched to get the best answer since I already get a logarithmic equation when Days is the independent variable and height is the dependent variable. My second equation that I stated is the supposed 'best' answer, but it has Days on the y axis and the height is the independent variable (?) which doesn't really make sense by itself.
Sorry, I am not familiar with the operation of the TI-84+ calculator. Can it quantify "the goodness of fit" by displaying, e.g., the Coefficient of Determination ##R^2## for each of the two logarithmic fits? If so, which fit has the higher value?
 
Their answer is bad for the reason that the errors that are sum-square minimized by the regression are the wrong errors.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
16K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K