Numerical Methods of Curve Fitting

First published in 1961, this book provides information on the methods of treating series of observations, the field covered embraces portions of both statistics and numerical analysis. Originally intended as an introduction to the topic aimed at students and graduates in physics, the types of observation discussed reflect the standard routine work of the time in the physical sciences. The text partly reflects an aim to offer a better balance between theory and practice, reversing the tendency of books on numerical analysis to omit numerical examples illustrating the applications of the methods. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the theoretical development of its field.Preface; Part I. Single Variables: 1. General theory for a single variable; 2. The normal distribution; 3. Some statistical tests; 4. Discrete distributions; Part II. Regression Theory and the Straight Line: 5. Regression curves and functional relationship; 6. The straight line; Part III. Polynomials and Other Curves: 7. Estimation of polynomial coefficients; 8. Standard deviations of the estimates; 9. The grouping of observations; 10. Functions which are not polynomials; 11. General regression and functional relationship problems in several variables; 12. Further illustrative examples; Bibliography; Index.