least squares


nounStatistics.
  1. a method of estimating values from a set of observations by minimizing the sum of the squares of the differences between the observations and the values to be found.

Origin of least squares

1
First recorded in 1860–65
  • Also called least-squares method, method of least squares.

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British Dictionary definitions for least squares

least squares

noun
  1. a method for determining the best value of an unknown quantity relating one or more sets of observations or measurements, esp to find a curve that best fits a set of data. It states that the sum of the squares of the deviations of the experimentally determined value from its optimum value should be a minimum

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