Abstract
THE application of the method of least squares to physical measurements is described in several standard text-books—to wit, Kohlrausch's “Introduction to Physical Measurements” (third edition, 1894), Stewart and Gee's “Elementary Practical Physics” (1885), and others. In none of these is it pointed out that the method as set forth offers in certain cases a choice of results, and that the solution is practically unique only if a sufficient number of observations be taken. Nor is any indication given how the method is to be applied when none but a small number of observations is available. Since the method is intended for use only when a high degree of refinement is aimed at, these points are of practical importance.
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RAVENSHEAR, A. The Use of the Method of Least Squares in Physics. Nature 63, 489–490 (1901). https://doi.org/10.1038/063489c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/063489c0
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