Obtaining Coefficients and Uncertainties for a Least-Squares Parabola

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The discussion centers on obtaining coefficients and uncertainties for a least-squares parabola, specifically in the context of using MATLAB for calculations related to Maxwell's Disc. The user has successfully derived the coefficients for linear least-squares regression but struggles with the complexities of deriving uncertainties for a parabolic fit. The discussion highlights the need for logarithmic transformations to linearize the data for parabolic fitting, which is essential for accurate reporting in lab work.

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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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