least squares method

[liːst skwɛrz ˈmɛθəd]
noun
método dos mínimos quadrados
1. A mathematical technique for finding the best-fitting curve or line through a set of data points by minimizing the sum of the squares of the residuals (differences between observed and predicted values)
The researcher used the least squares method to fit a linear regression model to the experimental data.
O pesquisador utilizou o método dos mínimos quadrados para ajustar um modelo de regressão linear aos dados experimentais.
2. A standard approach in statistics and data analysis to estimate parameters of a model when there are more observations than unknowns
The least squares method minimizes the sum of squared errors between the observed and predicted values.
O método dos mínimos quadrados minimiza a soma dos erros ao quadrado entre os valores observados e previstos.
The least squares method is a foundational statistical technique taught in universities and applied extensively in both Brazilian and American scientific research, engineering, economics, and data analysis. It remains one of the most widely used methods in statistics and is central to understanding regression analysis in both countries' educational curricula.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
ordinary least squaresOLS regressionleast squares estimationminimum sum of squares method
Antonyms / Antônimos
maximum likelihood estimationBayesian inference

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
método dos mínimos quadrados
Standard term used in Brazilian academic and technical contexts
São Paulo
método dos mínimos quadrados
Commonly used in engineering and statistical departments
Portugal
método dos mínimos quadrados
Standard Portuguese term, identical to Brazilian usage in academic settings

Related Words

regression analysiscurve fittingresidualssum of squared errorslinear regressionstatistical modelingparameter estimation

Related Idioms & Phrases

fitting a curve using the least squares method
applying least squares to minimize error
least squares estimation problem
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