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Regression models are used for several purposes, including the following:

1 Data description

2 Parameter estimation

3 Prediction and estimation

4 Control

Engineers and scientists frequently use equations to summarize or describe a set of data. Regression analysis is helpful in developing such equations. For example, we may collect a considerable amount of delivery time and delivery volume data, and a regression model would probably be a much more convenient and useful summary of those data than a table or even a graph.

Sometimes parameter estimation problems can be solved by regression methods. For example, chemical engineers use the Michaelis–Menten equation y = β₁x/(x + β₂) + ε to describe the relationship between the velocity of reaction y and concentration x. Now in this model, β₁ is the asymptotic velocity of the reaction, that is, the maximum velocity as the concentration gets large. If a sample of observed values of velocity at different concentrations is available, then the engineer can use regression analysis to fit this model to the data, producing an estimate of the maximum velocity. We show how to fit regression models of this type in Chapter 12.

Many applications of regression involve prediction of the response variable. For example, we may wish to predict delivery time for a specified number of cases of soft drinks to be delivered. These predictions may be helpful in planning delivery activities such as routing and scheduling or in evaluating the productivity of delivery operations. The dangers of extrapolation when using a regression model for prediction because of model or equation error have been discussed previously (see Figure 1.5). However, even when the model form is correct, poor estimates of the model parameters may still cause poor prediction performance.

Regression models may be used for control purposes. For example, a chemical engineer could use regression analysis to develop a model relating the tensile strength of paper to the hardwood concentration in the pulp. This equation could then be used to control the strength to suitable values by varying the level of hardwood concentration. When a regression equation is used for control purposes, it is important that the variables be related in a causal manner. Note that a cause-and-effect relationship may not be necessary if the equation is to be used only for prediction. In this case it is only necessary that the relationships that existed in the original data used to build the regression equation are still valid. For example, the daily electricity consumption during August in Atlanta, Georgia, may be a good predictor for the maximum daily temperature in August. However, any attempt to reduce the maximum temperature by curtailing electricity consumption is clearly doomed to failure.