10.1. Standard Analysis Packages 591
Figure 10.1.17: Result of fitting a 5th order polynomial in Origin.We now go to another example. Suppose we have a dataset of which we want
draw a histogram. Recall that a histogram is a plot of the frequencies at which the
parameter assumes different values. A histogram is a very important tool since it
characterizes the distribution function of the parameter under consideration. And if
we know the distribution function of a parameter we can determine the expectation
value of the parameter under any confidence interval (see chapter on data analysis).
So,wehavesomedatathatweimportusingimportwizardofOrigin .Thenfrom
theStatisticspull down menu we choose thefrequencyfunction. A pop up menu
appear with minimum and maximum values of the parameter along with a bin size.
All these values can be changed if needed. The result of the frequency count appears
in a table, which can then be plotted by using thePlotpull down menu. Fig.10.1.18
shows the histogram plotted as a bar chart. As the second step to the process we
tried to fit a Gaussian function to it using the fitting wizard. The result has been
plotted on the same histogram.
10.1.C MATLAB
MATLAB^6 is a very powerful high level computing language and interactive devel-
opment environment developed by Mathworks. It is capable of handling extremely
(^6) MATLAB is a registered trademark of The MathWorks, Inc.