Chapter 4 Non-linear relationships

Standards: I D (exploring scatterplots, transformations to achieve linearity) and E (exploring categorical data, two-way tables, etc.).

Thursday 9/24 Today we revisited residuals and the LSRL. We looked at data that appeared at first to be linear, but upon inspection were clearly not linear. That's what residuals can do for you!

We also straightened our first data set. We took exponential data--ordered pairs of the form (x, ab^x)-- and transformed them into a straightened set. Once you have straightened data, you can use the LSRL function on the calculator. We found the LSRL, converted it to a curve using our knowledge of exponents and logs, and graphed the curve through our exponential data. Ooo. Ahhh.

Procedure: Enter x and y into L1 and L2
Look at the data. See that they are not straight, but exponential in shape.
Take the ln of the y values (put in L3).
Look at scatterplot of L1, L3. Straight? Then --> LSRL
Change y-hat to ln-y-hat because we used the ln y instead of y.
Solve for y.
Graph that new equation with the original L1, L2 data.
Be proud.


September 28th: We looked at several non-linear models and discovered what transformations would make the "right" side a linear function. Those realizations drive our decisions to take logs or square roots of the original variables.
HW: problems 4.11 and 4.12 from the text.

September 29th: We worked through parts of problem 4.12 and reviewed properties and purposes of logs. Do problems 4.15 and 4.16 for Wednesday.

October 1st: Worked with transformations more today. Finished up the analysis of the disappearing dice lab where we modeled exponential decay.
Took a quiz on residuals to give students an opportunity to recoup some points from the Ch 3 test. It worked for some. Why pass up an chance to improve your grade? A copy of one version of the quiz can be found on the Typepad blog. Scroll down to Documents for AP Statistics.

October 2nd: Quizzed again today on computing, graphing, and interepreting residuals. This concept is critical to continuing in Stat. Most students have now demonstrated mastery, but those of you who have not shown me that you can do it need to step up! HW due Monday: 4.26, 4.27. 4.28 from the text. Be prepared for the next quiz on finding residuals and transforming data.

October 5th and 6th: We've been spending a lot of time perfecting our understanding and skills regarding transformations, least squares regression, and interpreting residuals. We will have nearly daily quizzes to assess our progress. In addition we are looking at contingency tables (2-way tables). We computed joint, marginal, and conditional probability and took a quick look at the meaning of independence.
HW: Read section 4.2 and do problems 4.29 and 4.30. They are pretty cool.