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Please could some real experts give an opinion on this question on English.SE: What preposition to use when fitting data?

Do we fit data with, by, or as a linear function?


Forgive me as I do not know how best to highlight this and I'm happy for this question be be deleted.

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    By analogy: "Data" is a person with *fixed* size. "Function with adjustable parameters" is a suit. Does the tailor fit the suit *to* the person, or fit the person *to* the suit?2012-08-25
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    @Jen, with the last option, you've heard of Procrustes? :)2012-08-25
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    we fit data on behalf of a linear function2012-08-25

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One does no such thing. One fits a linear function to data, not the other way around. Unless of course one is inventing "data" that will nearly fit a preconceived pattern, a practice not entirely unknown in Science.

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    The last sentence is true, funny, and depressing all at the same time...2012-08-25
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    Applied Ramsey theory...2012-08-25