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<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> TREND (values of a linear regression) |
Syntax:
TREND(y_values [, x_values] [, New_x_values] [, Constant])
Description:
Returns the values of a linear regression.
Linear regression is a statistical technique that adapts a line (called "trendline" or "best-fit line") to a set of data points (for example, the results of a series of measurements).
The TREND function returns an array with the y values of a trendline calculated from the given y values and x values.
In detail, the function expects the following arguments:
y_values: Here you specify the existing y-coordinates, that is, the dependent values. y_values can be either a cell reference or an array.
x_values: Here you can optionally specify the x-coordinates, that is, the independent values. Also x_values can be either a cell reference or an array. If x_values are omitted, the values 1, 2, 3, ... will be used automatically. (according to the number of existing y_values).
New_x_values (optional) are the x values for which you want to determine the corresponding y values on the curve. If omitted, the values in x_values will be used. However, if required, you can specify other x-coordinates with New_x_values. New_x_values can also be either a cell reference or an array.
Constant (optional) is a logical value that lets you specify if the constant b (the y-intercept point) should be calculated automatically or forced to equal zero:
TRUE or omitted: b will be calculated from the given data.
FALSE: b is forced to equal 0 (zero). This forces the trendline to run through the zero point. The m coefficient(s) are adjusted accordingly.
Note:
Formulas using this function have to be entered as an array formula. For more information, see Working with arrays.
Annotation:
The linear regression is performed with this function using the least squares method.
Example:
The resistance of a temperature-sensitive resistor has been measured at several temperatures.
Cells A1:A4 contain the temperatures measured: 8, 20, 25, 28
Cells B1:B4 contain the resistances measured: 261, 508, 608, 680
The following calculation returns an array with the y coordinates of a best-fit line calculated from these values:
TREND(B1:B4, A1:A4)
See also: