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Nonlinear VS Linear Regression

Nonlinear regression relates two variables in a nonlinear or curved relationship, as opposed to linear regression which uses a straight line. The goal of nonlinear regression is to minimize the sum of squares between the observed Y values and the predicted Y values from the nonlinear function. It uses functions like logarithmic, trigonometric, exponential, power, and other fitting methods to model the nonlinear relationship between X and Y. Similar to linear regression, nonlinear regression seeks to model a response variable from predictor variables, but the relationship is curved rather than straight.

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Deepak Padiyar
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57 views

Nonlinear VS Linear Regression

Nonlinear regression relates two variables in a nonlinear or curved relationship, as opposed to linear regression which uses a straight line. The goal of nonlinear regression is to minimize the sum of squares between the observed Y values and the predicted Y values from the nonlinear function. It uses functions like logarithmic, trigonometric, exponential, power, and other fitting methods to model the nonlinear relationship between X and Y. Similar to linear regression, nonlinear regression seeks to model a response variable from predictor variables, but the relationship is curved rather than straight.

Uploaded by

Deepak Padiyar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What Is Nonlinear Regression?

Comparison to Linear Regression

Nonlinear regression is a form of regression analysis in which data is fit to


a model and then expressed as a mathematical function. Simple
linear regression relates two variables (X and Y) with a straight line (y =
mx + b), while nonlinear regression relates the two variables in a nonlinear
(curved) relationship.1

The goal of the model is to make the sum of the squares as small as
possible. The sum of squares is a measure that tracks how far the Y
observations vary from the nonlinear (curved) function that is used to
predict Y.

It is computed by first finding the difference between the fitted nonlinear


function and every Y point of data in the set. Then, each of those
differences is squared. Lastly, all of the squared figures are added
together. The smaller the sum of these squared figures, the better the
function fits the data points in the set. Nonlinear regression uses
logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, exponential functions, power
functions, Lorenz curves, Gaussian functions, and other fitting methods.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

 Both linear and nonlinear regression predict Y responses from an X


variable (or variables).
 Nonlinear regression is a curved function of an X variable (or
variables) that is used to predict a Y variable
 Nonlinear regression can show a prediction of population growth
over time.
Nonlinear regression modeling is similar to linear regression modeling in
that both seek to track a particular response from a set of variables
graphically. Nonlinear models are more complicated than linear models to
develop because the function is created through a series of
approximations (iterations) that may stem from trial-and-error.
Mathematicians use several established methods, such as the Gauss-
Newton method and the Levenberg-Marquardt method.

Often, regression models that appear nonlinear upon first glance are
actually linear. The curve estimation procedure can be used to identify the
nature of the functional relationships at play in your data, so you can
choose the correct regression model, whether linear or nonlinear. Linear
regression models, while they typically form a straight line, can also form
curves, depending on the form of the linear regression equation. Likewise,
it’s possible to use algebra to transform a nonlinear equation so that it
mimics a linear equation—such a nonlinear equation is referred to as
“intrinsically linear.”

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