目的探讨最小二乘法的历史发展过程及其创立者的思想与方法。方法历史考察与数理分析。结果勒让德在先驱者解线性方程组的基础上,以整体的思想方法创立了最小二乘法;高斯由寻找随机误差函数为突破,以独特的概率思想导出了正态分布,详尽地阐述了最小二乘法的理论依据。结论两住数学大师异曲同工地谱写了数理统计学的新篇。相比之下,高斯把最小二乘法推进得更远、更深刻,这极大地促进了数理统计学的发展。
Aim To explore the historical development of the method of least squares and its inventors' thought appreach. Methods Historical investigation and mathematical analysis. Results Based on solving system of linear equations, A. M. Legender invented the method of least squares with a whole thought; while C. F. Gauss deduced normal distribution with a particular probability thought by looking for random error function and interpreted in detail the theoretical foundation of the method of least squares. Conclusion They invented the important method respectively in different way. In comparison, C. F. Gauss developed it further.