Theme 4 Non Linear Models
Theme 4 Non Linear Models
Ø Example: The effect of accumulated interest as of the book value of an asset on how
to calculate depreciation.
Ø If we were to measure, re-scale or take logs of the x and y in different units, only the
magnitudes of these derivatives would change but overall fit of the regression
equation wouldn’t. Thus, each coefficient’s t− statistic will have the same value, with
the same p− values, irrespective of scaling and R2as well will remain the same.
β 1−β
Q=a . L K
Ø What are the benefits of the log ? What are their uses ?
1) Taking the log of a model doesn’t affect its variables since it measures percentage
changes
2) The intepretation of elasticity value is simple
3) Reduces heteroskedasticity, variability of data with high variances and skewness
y= β❑0 + β❑ ❑ 2
1 x + β 2 x +u
to rewrite it as an estimate y Λ = β 0Λ + β 1Λ x 1Λ + β 2Λ x 2Λ 2
Linearlized formate and solving for effect of x 2Λ 2 on y Λ
Λ
∆ y ≈¿ )
Ø If y is regressed on x 1and x2, it is important to note that ∂y/∂x must be calculated
first by taking account of this form. (i.e.: we cannot consider the effect of changing x
while holding x2 constant).
Examples:
Ø An important technique that allows for non- linearities in an econometric model is the
use of interaction terms–the product of explanatory variables. When a model with two
explanatory variables and their interaction terms is considered
Y= β 0+ β 1 x 1+ β 2 x 2+ β 3 x 1 x 2+u
Ø It is important to note that the presence of an interaction term changes the ’usual’
interpretation of the coefficients associated with the components of the interaction.
Ø Dummy variables are added to the independent variables and any categorical variable
can be turned into a set of dummy variables or dummies for sectors (nominal ones)
Ø For dummy variables, the base group is represented by the intercept, if there are n
categories there should be n – 1 dummy variable to avoid the dummy trap, which is
the situation of perfect collinearity and e-views will not complete the estimation.
Ø The model below consists of y (GPA), independent variables and dummies are:- high
schoool graduates (hsgrad.) , colleage graduates (colgrad.),male, female and crossing
and creating interaction terms between the variables to estimate difference in salary.
Ø The model below consists of y (GPA), independent variables and dummies are:- high schoool
graduates (hsgrad.) , colleage graduates (colgrad.),male, female and crossing and creating
interaction terms between the variables to estimate difference in salary
Ø Ordinal varaible is a variable taking several rankings [0- 5] and each rank
differ in meaning than the other one. Ranked from worst being 0 and best 4.
Ø Ex: Moody’s investors services and Standard and Poor’s want to rank the
quality of debts for local governments based on investors’ behavior and
preferences like probability of default, interest rates.
Ø The ordinal variables are more often used in questionnaires and are called
Likert scale variables.