[CHM 331] Homework...

[Andrew J. Pounds]

On 09/05/13 15:05,  wrote:
>
> I have a question about the excel portion of the math capsule. For the linear data when it says to determine which of the excel linear fit functions best matches the data, is that the same thing as going through the process of setting initial parameters and using the solver and the chi^2 value to match the data as best as possible? That's what I did. If I am misinterpreting that first portion of the question let me know.
>
> Thanks
>
>

For the linear data the procedure should be MUCH simpler.  I would 
create a graph of the data and then use the normal method in Excel to 
fit a trend line.  You will be given numerous options (linear, log, 
power, etc).  Each time you click on one of the option the graph should 
display the trend line for that method superimposed on your data.  You 
should be able to "eyeball" which fit is the best.

There may be some cases where two of the function give similar similar 
fit results.  Only in cases where they are very close should you have to 
resort to actually calculating a chi squared statistic to determine the 
goodness of fit.

-- 
Andrew J. Pounds, Ph.D.  (pounds_aj at mercer.edu)
Professor of Chemistry and Computer Science
Mercer University,  Macon, GA 31207   (478) 301-5627
http://faculty.mercer.edu/pounds_aj