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Least squares regression and residualsEdexcel A-Level Further Maths: Mind map

Sums of squares
The line
Residuals

Least squares regression

fit a line, check the residuals

y=a+bxy=a+bxresidualRSS
RSS
Checking the model
Interpretation

Exam questions on Least squares regression and residuals

  1. A researcher models the relationship between a variable xx and a variable yy using the least squares regression line of yy on xx, y=a+bxy=a+bx. Summary statistics from the data give xˉ=5\bar x=5, yˉ=14\bar y=14, Sxx=40S_{xx}=40 and Sxy=88S_{xy}=88.
    One observation is x=6x=6, y=15y=15. Calculate the residual for this observation.2 marks
  2. A student records the number of hours, xx, spent revising and the score, yy, out of 40, on a test for 5 students: (1,12)(1,12), (2,15)(2,15), (3,21)(3,21), (4,22)(4,22), (5,30)(5,30). The summary statistics are n=5n=5, ∑x=15\sum x=15, ∑y=100\sum y=100, ∑x2=55\sum x^2=55, ∑xy=343\sum xy=343 and ∑y2=2194\sum y^2=2194.
    The regression line is y=7.1+4.3xy=7.1+4.3x. Interpret the value 4.34.3 in context, and explain why the line should not be used to predict the score of a student who revises for 15 hours.2 marks
  3. A café owner records the midday temperature, x ∘x\,^\circC, and the number of cold drinks sold, yy, on six days: (14,40)(14,40), (16,45)(16,45), (18,55)(18,55), (20,58)(20,58), (22,68)(22,68), (24,76)(24,76). The summary statistics are n=6n=6, ∑x=114\sum x=114, ∑y=342\sum y=342, ∑x2=2236\sum x^2=2236, ∑xy=6750\sum xy=6750 and ∑y2=20414\sum y^2=20414.
    Find the equation of the regression line of yy on xx.3 marks
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Written by the Exaim team, led by Shaun Daswani (Head of Upper Secondary, Improve ME Institute; MSc Financial Mathematics, Imperial College London; BSc, UCL) and Jason Daswani (operational lead, Improve ME Institute; LSE).