UNIT 1

2
[1] Define approximating curve and empirical
equation.
Data involving two variables say and ,
obtained from experimental observations are
plotted on a graph paper.
If a smooth curve is drawn passing
through the plotted points then such curve is
called approximating curve and its equation
is known as empirical equation. 3
[2] Explain linear law.
Let the empirical law between two variables,
say and , of certain data be linear, i.e. of the
form . . . . (1)
where and are constants to be determined.
Since equations (1) is a straight line, is the
slope and is the -intercept.
If we plot the corresponding values of the data
with a suitable scale, they should lie on a
straight line.
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 But in practice the values obtained from
experimental observations may not lie exactly on a
straight line.
In such cases, draw the straight line of ‘best fit’
such that the points are evenly distributed about the
line.
Choose two point and which are
set apart on the line so that / .
can be found by knowing the value of when .
Substituting and in equation (1), we get the
required law.
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[3] Explain how to reduce laws to linear law.
Some laws which connect the two variables
and and which are non-linear can be reduced
to linear form by suitable substitutions as
explained below.
[i] Law of the type , where and are
constants.
[ii] Law of the type , where and are
constants.
[iii] Law of the type .
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[i] Law of the type , where and are
constants.
Taking logarithms on both the sides,
we get,
….(1)
where
Here, equation (1) is linear and . and
are constants to be determined.
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[ii] Law of the type , where and
are constants.
Taking logarithms on both the sides,
we get,
….(1)
where
Here, equation (1) is linear and . and
are constants to be determined.
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[iii] Law of the type , where and are
constants.
Taking logarithms on both the sides,
we get,
….(1)
where
Here, equation (1) is linear and . and
are constants to be determined.
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