9.1. Types of Regression Models

In Section 3.2, you used the run chart to plot a numerical variable over time. In regression analysis, you use the scatter plot to plot the relationship between an X variable on the horizontal axis and a Y variable on the vertical axis. The nature of the relationship between two variables can take many forms, ranging from simple to extremely complicated mathematical functions; for example, from a simple linear relationship to a complex curvilinear or exponential relationship. Figure 9.1 shows the different types of patterns that you could discover when plotting the values of the X and Y variables.

Figure 9.1. Types of Patterns in Relationships

The patterns shown in Figure 9.1 can be described as follows:

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