Piecewise functions v4.pdf (1.06 MB)
Download fileA Method of Joining Piecewise Functions to Produce Continuous Functions of Difficult Data
This article describes a method of modelling
data that involves splitting the curve into two (or more) and creating separate
piecewise functions for each part; these functions are then concatenated via a
linking function to create one overall continuous function that better
describes the original data than is otherwise achievable. The linking function
is able to do this by separating the original two (or more) subfunctions so
that they are each active in only the relevant portion of the overall curve
without the use of dummy variables. The final result is a continuous function
in which it is straightforward to smooth the transition at the knot between the
piecewise subfunctions. In addition, the piecewise subfunctions do not need to
align at the knot since the degree of smoothing is readily controlled. All
types of functions may be concatenated so that the method is flexible and
relatively simple to apply.
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Email Address of Submitting Author
stefan@orszulik.idps.co.ukSubmitting Author's Institution
retiredSubmitting Author's Country
- United Kingdom