Download:
    Teacher Notes: PDF format
    Student Activity: PDF format
    Student File: Fathom™ file

WHAT IS IT?
How does one determine the best best-fit line for a set of data? One approach is to find the line with the smallest overall error in prediction, or more precisely, the line that minimizes the sum of the squared deviations from the observed data to that line. This activity uses dynamic statistical software (Fathom™ 2) to engage students in an exploration of this concept.

Building on intuitive guess-and-check methods to estimate a best-fit line, students experiment with the underlying quadratic relationship between slope and residuals to find the least squares regression line (LSRL). This optimization process connects students' knowledge of quadratic functions with statistics, and in the process, deepens their understanding of the LSRL. This activity would be appropriate in a course introducing concepts in regression analysis (such as Algebra 2) or at a more advanced level (such as AP Statistics) to develop and extend these ideas.

GRADE LEVEL
9 - 12

STRAND
Statistics, Functions, Geometry

CLASS TIME
1-2 class periods

MATERIALS
    Student Activity Sheet and Fathom™ 2 file(one for each student)
    Computer with Fathom™ 2 software