Curve Fitting
Topics
- Polynomials
- Error Analysis
Description
With your mouse, drag data points and their error bars, and watch the best-fit polynomial curve update instantly. You choose the type of fit: linear, quadratic, cubic, or quartic. The reduced chi-square statistic shows you when the fit is good. Or you can try to find the best fit by manually adjusting fit parameters.
Sample Learning Goals
- Explain how the range and uncertainty and number of data points affect correlation coefficient and chi squared
- Describe how correlation coefficient and chi squared can be used to indicate how well a curve describes the data relationship
- Apply understanding of Curve Fitting to designing experiments
Standards Alignment
Common Core - Math
HSS-ID.B.6
Represent data on two quantitative variables on a scatter plot, and describe how the variables are related.
HSS-ID.B.6a
Fit a function to the data; use functions fitted to data to solve problems in the context of the data. Use given functions or choose a function suggested by the context. Emphasize linear, quadratic, and exponential models.
HSS-ID.B.6b
Informally assess the fit of a function by plotting and analyzing residuals.
Version 2.02
Keywords
Teacher Tips
| Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
| Title |
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Authors | Level | Type | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra-based Physics Semester one lessons, clicker questions, and schedule in pdf (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein | HS UG-Intro |
Lab HW Demo |
Physics |
| Curve Fitting: How well does the curve describe the data? (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein, Mike Dubson | HS UG-Intro |
Lab | Physics Chemistry Mathematics |
| How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
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Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | Chemistry Earth Science Biology Physics |
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| Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
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Trish Loeblein | HS | Other | Chemistry Earth Science Physics Biology |
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| PhET Sims Aligned to the Chemistry Curriculum |
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Julia Chamberlain | UG-Intro HS |
Other | Chemistry | |
| MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | MS HS |
Other | Physics Biology Chemistry |
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| Mapping of PhET and IBDP Physics | Jaya Ramchandani | HS | Other | Physics | ||
| PhET Simulations Aligned for AP Physics C | Roberta Tanner | HS | Other | Physics | ||
| Moteur en PhET | Bernard Lacour | Other | Lab | |||
| Line of best fit activity | Dave Dalton | HS | Lab HW |
Mathematics | ||
| 커브 핏팅 SIM 사용 설명서 | Wha Kuk Lee | UG-Intro HS UG-Adv |
HW Demo Lab |
Chemistry Physics Mathematics Earth Science |
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| Longitud de un péndulo y su periodo. | Denis Salazar | HS MS UG-Intro |
HW Guided Demo Lab |
Mathematics Physics |
| Windows | Macintosh | Linux |
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Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7/8.1/10 Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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OS X 10.9.5 or later Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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| Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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