Scientific Data Analysis: An Introduction to Overdetermined Systems

This monograph considers overdetermined systems, i.e., inconsistent systems with more equations than unknowns, in scientific data reduction. Although not a text on statistics, numerical methods, or matrix computations, all three enter into the discussion. The book is intended for the scientist or engineer who has gathered data that needs to be modelled by a mathematical system, perhaps linear or non-linear, and to be solved to obtain best estimates of various parameters. Programs and subroutines, mostly in FORTRAN, a few in BASIC, and one in C, illustrate many of the techniques presented.