General Principles of the Method of Least Squares: With Applications (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Dana Prescott Bartlett

 
9781333043810: General Principles of the Method of Least Squares: With Applications (Classic Reprint)

Synopsis

Master the method that makes sense of messy measurements.

The book introduces the method of least squares as the primary way to obtain the most probable values from discordant observations. It explains how to separate and handle different kinds of errors, and how to apply the theory to real scientific measurements.

This edition lays out the foundations, starting with the nature of measurement errors and the goal of combining observations to minimize the impact of accidental errors. It then presents the core axiom, the idea of making many measurements under the same conditions, and shows how the most probable value emerges from the data. Practical topics include rejecting doubtful observations, weighing data, and handling constant errors when combining results from multiple methods or instruments.
  • Learn the difference between constant (systematic) errors and accidental errors, and how they affect results.
  • See how the method yields the most probable values and how residuals relate to observed data.
  • Explore criteria for discarding outliers and for weighing observations when combining results.
  • Understand why mixing results from different methods can increase both precision and reliability.
Ideal for readers in science and engineering who want a solid, practical grasp of how to reduce error and extract trustworthy conclusions from measurements.

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