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Fitting a polynomial curve in Excel is a simple and efficient way to analyze data and make predictions. This process involves finding the best mathematical equation that fits the data points on a scatter plot. By following a few steps, you can easily fit a polynomial curve in Excel. First, organize your data into two columns: the x-values and the corresponding y-values. Next, insert a scatter plot chart and add a trendline. Then, select the polynomial trendline option and choose the degree of polynomial you want. Finally, adjust the display options, such as the equation and R-squared value, to see the accuracy of the curve. By following these steps, you can effectively fit a polynomial curve in Excel and utilize it for data analysis and forecasting.
Fit a Polynomial Curve in Excel (Step-by-Step)
You can use the LINEST() function in Excel to fit a polynomial curve with a certain degree.
For example, you can use the following basic syntax to fit a polynomial curve with a degree of 3:
=LINEST(known_ys, known_xs^{1, 2, 3})
The function returns an array of coefficients that describes the polynomial fit.
The following step-by-step example shows how to use this function to fit a polynomial curve in Excel.
Step 1: Create the Data
First, let’s create some data to work with:

Step 2: Fit a Polynomial Curve
Next, let’s use the LINEST() function to fit a polynomial curve with a degree of 3 to the dataset:

Step 3: Interpret the Polynomial Curve
Once we press ENTER, an array of coefficients will appear:

Using these coefficients, we can construct the following equation to describe the relationship between x and y:
y = .0218x3 – .2239x2 – .6084x + 30.0915
We can also use this equation to calculate the expected value of y, based on the value of x.
y = .0218(4)3 – .2239(4)2 – .6084(4) + 30.0915 = 25.47
Cite this article
stats writer (2024). How can I fit a polynomial curve in Excel step-by-step?. PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Retrieved from https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-can-i-fit-a-polynomial-curve-in-excel-step-by-step/
stats writer. "How can I fit a polynomial curve in Excel step-by-step?." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 2 May. 2024, https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-can-i-fit-a-polynomial-curve-in-excel-step-by-step/.
stats writer. "How can I fit a polynomial curve in Excel step-by-step?." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 2024. https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-can-i-fit-a-polynomial-curve-in-excel-step-by-step/.
stats writer (2024) 'How can I fit a polynomial curve in Excel step-by-step?', PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Available at: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/how-can-i-fit-a-polynomial-curve-in-excel-step-by-step/.
[1] stats writer, "How can I fit a polynomial curve in Excel step-by-step?," PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, vol. X, no. Y, ص Z-Z, May, 2024.
stats writer. How can I fit a polynomial curve in Excel step-by-step?. PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. 2024;vol(issue):pages.
