A Technique for Fitting Nonlinear Models to Biological Data

A technique for determining best parameter values for nonlinear mathematical models by an iterative least—squares method is presented. The process is given in detail to enable nonmathematicians to implement it successfully. The technique is based upon a Taylor series expansion and involves solving for successive corrections to trial parameter values until the best possible parameter values are found. A table is given showing for combinations of scatter in the data and error in estimating initial or trial parameter values the number of iterations required for convergence to best parameter values.