Optimization Example -- V: Analysis of Experimental Data

• Interpolation involves finding function values given function values at other points. This naturally extends to case where given function values have errors.

• We consider the general case where we have a set of observations , and we wish to deduce something from it.

  a) are separate measurements of the length of a rod which differ due to uncertainities in measurement process (measurer drunk, rod quivering in earthquake).

  : What is best estimate for length of rod and error therein.