When should I use polynomial regression?

When should I use polynomial regression instead of linear regression?

You should use polynomial regression when the relationship between the independent and dependent variables is non-linear.

How do I determine if my data requires polynomial regression?

You can check for non-linearity by plotting your data and looking for curves or patterns that a straight line can't capture.

What are the risks of using polynomial regression?

One risk is overfitting, especially with high-degree polynomials, which can make your model too complex.

Can you give me an example of polynomial regression in practice?

Sure! A common example is modeling the growth of plants over time, where growth may accelerate or decelerate.