Accession Number:

ADA210677

Title:

Inherent Bias in Nonlinear Least Squares Analysis of First-Order Kinetic Data

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

CHEMICAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1989-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

13.0

Abstract:

Generally, it is assumed in analyzing first-order kinetic data that the unweighted fit to the exponential function, at bEXP-KT, is superior to that of the logarithmic function, ln b - kt. A careful analysis shows that this conclusion is not justified. In addition, a comparison of fits of actual data to both functions demonstrates that the methods are essentially equivalent.

Descriptors:

• *BIAS
• *NONLINEAR ANALYSIS
• *LEAST SQUARES METHOD
• CATALYSIS
• FUNCTIONS(MATHEMATICS)
• LOGARITHM FUNCTIONS
• EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• LINEARITY
• ERROR ANALYSIS
• DECONTAMINATION
• KINETICS

Subject Categories:

• Organic Chemistry
• Numerical Mathematics
• Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE