Linearizing Data with Algebra

Plotting strange combinations of variables

As described in the Introduction to this lab, while many relationships in
nature are linear, many others are not. However, as discussed in a prior
lab, linear fits have the advantage that they are easy for our ape-brains
to comprehend. Moreover, the fit to a line only has two parameters: the
slope and the intercept which makes it easy to understand how the fit
is done in terms of the residuals etc. Can we use the benefits of linear
fits for non-linear data? The answer (of course given the title of this
lab), is yes! One way to do this is by simply plotting combinations of
variables on each axis instead of simple things like time or distance. For
example in figure 3a from Q. Li et al.[1] we see plotted on the
vertical axis. Sometimes, by choosing the correct set of axes, you can
make data that is not a line into a line.

Figure 3a: Summary of VatA acetylation kinetics and in vitro inhibition of the E. coli
ribosome by 4 and 47. Error bars denote s.d. (3 technical replicates).

Example from Quantum Mechanics and Chemistry with which you

should be familiar

In Chemistry and our Unit on Quantum Mechanics, we discussed the

atomic spectrum of hydrogen the visible spectral lines of which (the so-
called Balmer series) are shown below.
We solved for these wavelengths using conservation of energy:

For hydrogen, the energy levels are given by while the energy
of the photon is given by the familiar formula . The result is

For the visible lines, is always equal to 2 leaving us with

Dividing across by we have

While this may not look like it, it is the equation for a line! All we need

to do is plot (which is unit-less) on the horizontal and on the

vertical (in units of 1/m) and the slope will be with
an intercept of zero!
Key Takeaways
Sometimes, by plotting seemingly strange combinations of variables
you can convert a non-linear relationship into a linear one!

1. Li, Qi, Jenna Pellegrino, D. John Lee, Arthur A. Tran, Hector A.

Chaires, Ruoxi Wang, Jesslyn E. Park, et al. “Synthetic Group A
Streptogramin Antibiotics That Overcome Vat Resistance.” Nature
586, no. 7827 (October 2020): 145–50.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2761-3 . ↵