MedVision ad

Lines of best fit (1 Viewer)

tlv6554

Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2016
Messages
38
Gender
Female
HSC
2018
Can someone please explain when to do a curve and when to do a straight line?
 

kawaiipotato

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2015
Messages
463
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2015
I think it'd usually be specified. It also helps to understand what the data is explaining/coming from (say you knew the underlying formula for it, you could see what the theoretical curve should be).
 

jazz519

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Feb 25, 2015
Messages
1,955
Location
Sydney
Gender
Male
HSC
2016
Uni Grad
2021
It all depends on the data. If you have an equation this can be easier because say example the equation is for concentration, c=n/v, where we are keeping n constant and changing v, resulting in a change in c. You can see that c is inversely proportional to v and this resembles a y=1/x hyperbola type of graph (a curve), while in a different equation that might be a line graph.

If the data is just random like from an experiment, then to decide between a line of best fit and a curve of best fit, just use common sense. If the relationship between the two axis looks curved it is probably a curve of best fit, likewise for line of best it, as I doubt the HSC examiners are going to make it vague as to what the relationship looks like
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top