Inferant Statistics

Regression of the Nuclear Data

In this activity, you will be performing a linear regression analysis to see if lateral expansion of irradiated steel can be predicted from the radiation temperature. Using either Excel or the TI-83 graphing calculator, perform a linear regression to determine if there is a substantial correlation between the radiation temperature and lateral expansion of steel and if predicting lateral expansion of steel from the temperature it is irradiated at is a viable option.

This data exists in three files; one is in Excel Data format, one is in Text format, and one is in TI-83 Group format. If you want to perform the linear regression using the TI-83, you will have to import the text data into the calculator from the computer after you have downloaded the file.

Are most of the data points close to the least squares regression line? What is the r-value (correlation coefficient)? What is the regression equation? Using the equation, do you think you could accurately predict the lateral expansion of irradiated steel?

Original work on this document was done by Central Virginia Governor's School students Ryan Malec, John Lewis and Terri Kendrick (Class of '05)