Least Squares

By showing the residuals and/or the residual squares, experiment with a movable line to minimize the sum of the residual squares.  This app helps develop an intuitive feel for the process of fitting a line to data, specifically the Least Squares Regression Line. (S-ID 6c)

Tags: Least-squares-resgression, residuals, line, fit, function, Algebra, Statistics, Common-Core

Least Squares II

This app continues with the ideas of minimizing the squared residuals, but allows you to compare the result to the actual regression line.  Students can continue to experiment by randomly generating new data for extra reinforcement. (S-ID 6c)

Tags: Least-squares-resgression, residuals, line, fit, function, Algebra, Statistics, Common-Core

Residual Plots

This app is an introduction to the idea of residual plots which help interpret the accuracy of a line of fit by making the pattern in the residuals easier to see.  An apparently linear data set is used to show how important the residual plot is. (S-ID 6b)

Tags: Least-squares-resgression, residuals, line, fit, function, Algebra, Statistics, Common-Core