Math 1 · Unit 10 · Lesson 3 · part 1 of 5
The Words We Use
The vocabulary for this lesson, in one place.
Words we use
| Word | Plain English | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Residual | Actual minus predicted: how far off the model is for one point. | Subtract in that order. Positive is above the line. |
| Predicted value | What the model says y should be. | Put x into the model. |
| Residual plot | A graph of the residuals against x, with a flat line at 0. | Use it to check whether a line fits. |
| Random scatter | No pattern: dots above and below 0 in no order. | A line is a good model. |
| Pattern | A curve in the residuals, like a U or a hill. | A line is the wrong family; try a curve. |
| Above, below the line | Positive residual: the model guessed too low. Negative: too high. | Read the sign. |