Adjacent Words

least squares definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a method of fitting a curve to data points so as to minimize the sum of the squares of the distances of the points from the curve [syn: least squares, method of least squares]

Merriam Webster's

noun plural Date: 1825 a method of fitting a curve to a set of points representing statistical data in such a way that the sum of the squares of the distances of the points from the curve is a minimum

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Least Least, a. [OE. last, lest, AS. l?sast, l?sest, superl. of l?ssa less. See Less, a.] [Used as the superlative of little.] Smallest, either in size or degree; shortest; lowest; most unimportant; as, the least insect; the least mercy; the least space. Note: Least is often used with the, as if a noun. I am the least of the apostles. --1 Cor. xv. 9. At least, or At the least, at the least estimate, consideration, chance, etc.; hence, at any rate; at all events; even. See However. He who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses The tempted with dishonor. --Milton. Upon the mast they saw a young man, at least if he were a man, who sat as on horseback. --Sir P. Sidney. In least, or In the least, in the least degree, manner, etc. ``He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.'' --Luke xvi. 10. Least squares (Math.), a method of deducing from a number of carefully made yet slightly discordant observations of a phenomenon the most probable values of the unknown quantities. Note: It takes as its fundamental principle that the most probable values are those which make the sum of the squares of the residual errors of the observation a minimum.