line of best fit

Data's optimal path

A line of best fit is a straight line drawn through a scatter plot that best represents the relationship between two variables.

The line minimizes the overall distance between itself and all the data points, showing the general trend even when points don't fall perfectly in line: The line of best fit suggests a correlation between study time and test scores.

Also called a trend line or regression line.

correlation

scatterplot

Graph of coordinate pairs

positive correlation · negative correlation · bivariate · covariance · outliers · data points · association · statistical significance · p-value

regression

least squares

Error-minimizing statistical method

coefficient · dependent variable · independent variable · standard error · confidence interval

prediction

extrapolation

Extending data beyond bounds

estimation · trendline · validation · overfitting · underfitting

optimization

minimization

Making as small as possible

trend

pattern

Recurring arrangement or template

growth · decline · seasonal trend · inflection point · plateau · acceleration

Opposites
data representation approach

line of best fitscatter plot

Graph showing paired data points

model complexity

line of best fitoverfitting

Excess adaptation to samples

spline interpolation · memorization · lookup table

data fitting approach

line of best fitinterpolation

Estimating between known values

connecting the dots · spline interpolation

Family

line, lines, lined, lining, liner, linear, linearity, linearly, lineal

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