Watch: http://academicearth.org/lectures/least-squares
 
and/or
 
view: http://www.efunda.com/math/leastsquares/leastsquares.cfm
 
Consider the following dataset: (20,525) (17,57) (10,19) (9,18) (7,14) (16,41) (3,5) (5,10) (10,23) (12,24) (9,15) (20,571) (18,102) (16,56). Calculate a best fit equation using the Least Squares Method. Now, add 20 to each y-value of the dataset. Explain what happens to the Least Squares equation in this case. Contrast this with what happens when you multiply each x-value by 2 and then recalcuate the Least Squares equation.