Develop an estimated quadratic regression equation with years to maturity and squared values of years to maturity as the independent variables. Have you developed a good model? How do you know (what statistic/threshold should you look at)?

The difference between linear and nonlinear regression models isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. You’d think that linear equations produce straight lines and nonlinear equations model curvature. Unfortunately, that’s not correct. Both types of models can fit curves to your data—so that’s not the defining characteristic. In this post, I’ll teach you how to identify linear and nonlinear regression models.

The difference between nonlinear and linear is the “non.” OK, that sounds like a joke, but, honestly, that’s the easiest way to understand the difference. First, I’ll define what linear regression is, and then everything else must be nonlinear regression. I’ll include examples of both linear and nonlinear regression models.

Linear Regression Equations

A linear regression model follows a very particular form. In statistics, a regression model is linear when all terms in the model are one of the following:

oThe constant

oA parameter multiplied by an independent variable (IV)

Then, you build the equation by only adding the terms together. These rules limit the form to just one type:

Dependent variable = constant + parameter * IV + … + parameter * IV

Statisticians say that this type of regression equation is linear in the parameters. However, it is possible to model curvature with this type of model. While the function must be linear in the parameters, you can raise an independent variable by an exponent to fit a curve. For example, if you square an independent variable, the model can follow a U-shaped curve.

While the independent variable is squared, the model is still linear in the parameters. Linear models can also contain log terms and inverse terms to follow different kinds of curves and yet continue to be linear in the parameters.

The regression example models the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and body fat percent. In a different blog post, I use this model to show how to make predictions with regression analysis. It is a linear model that uses a quadratic (squared) term to model the curved relationship.

Step-by-step explanation:

answer: my brother can figure it out, imma go get him so i can answer : ) edit: my brother is sleeping, sorry man

step-by-step explanation: