I. Curve Fitting

A. Introduction

Curve fitting is the process of determining the mathematical relationshp between data series in a 2D set. The phrase "curve fitting" comes from a traditional graphic solution: the data is plotted, a line or smooth curve is drawn through the data points, and an equation computed by measuring on or interpreting from the graph. If the data contains measurements, there will be random errors so a perfect fit is not possible. The line or curve will not pass through all the points so a visual best-fit curve is drawn. 

With enough data points least squares can be used to numerially determine a best-fit equation.