Least squares is a mathematical method used to minimize the difference between observed values and values predicted by a model. This method is often employed in statistical regression analysis to find the best-fitting line or curve for a set of data points. ### Key Concepts: 1. **Objective**: The primary goal of least squares is to find the parameters of a model that minimize the sum of the squares of the errors (differences between observed and fitted values).
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The least squares approach chooses parameters by minimizing the sum of squared residuals. A linear least-squares problem has affine residuals, whereas nonlinear least squares permits nonlinear dependence on the parameters. The Euclidean norm makes the objective ; the factor one-half simplifies its derivatives without changing its minimizers.