Question

Application of the least squares method results in values of the y-intercept and the slope that minimizes the sum of the squared deviations between the _____.

a. actual values of the independent variable and the predicted values of the dependent variable.
b. observed values of the dependent variable and the predicted values of the dependent variable
c. observed values of the independent variable and the predicted values of the independent variable
d. None of the answers is correct

Answer 1

c. observed values of the independent variable and the predicted values of the independent variable

Explanation:

This helps us, for example, find the values of y in a y = f(x) equation. y is dependent of x. So x is the independent variable and y the dependent. Obviously, this system is used for way more complex equations, in which is hard to find an actual pattern for y, so we use this method to compare the predicted values of y to the observed.

The correct answer is:

c. observed values of the independent variable and the predicted values of the independent variable