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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1997  > August  >
Information • Textbooks • Media • Resources
Simplex Method of Nonlinear Least-Squares - A Logical Complementary Method to Linear Least-Square Analysis of Data
Shannon G. Lieb
Department of Chemistry, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Cover
August 1997
Vol. 74 No. 8
p. 1008
Abstract
In the typical undergraduate curriculum, experimental data is analyzed using a linear equation. If the equation which relates the experimental variables can not be linearized, then an approximate form of the equation is used which is linear or the experiment is not performed. A simple alternative to the linear least-squares analysis is found in the Simplex algorithm. An error analysis is also included in the description of the Simplex method. The resulting values for the physical constants which are derived from the slope and intercept of linear least-squares analysis are compared to the Simplex method results for those same physical constants. The error analysis of these two methods are also compared. Finally, an experiment is analyzed which can not be cast into an equation of linear form. The strengths and weaknesses of both methods are indicated. Overall, this author has found that the Simplex method is a viable and necessary compliment to the usual linear regression analysis.
More Information
*  Citation
 Lieb, Shannon G. J. Chem. Educ. 1997 74 1008.
*  Keywords
 Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Laboratory Computing, Teaching/Learning Aids, Undergraduate Research
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 July 28, 1999
June 23, 2005
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