Nonlinear Least-Squares Curve Fitting with Microsoft Excel Solver

Abstract

is a powerful tool in the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that provides a simple means of fitting experimental data to nonlinear functions. The procedure is so easy to use and its mode of operation is so obvious that it is excellent for students to learn the underlying principle of lease squares curve fitting. This article introduces the method of fitting nonlinear functions with Solver and extends the treatment to weighted least squares and to the estimation of uncertainties in the least-squares parameters.