Definition Linear exponential smoothing

Linear exponential smoothing (LES) uses a moving average to create a forecast from a time series. The forecast is first created for the same period as the existing data and then into the future where there is no data. The difference between the existing data and the forecast data can be checked for accuracies. A smoothing constant is used in the calculation and can be varied until the difference between the forecast values and existing values produces as small an error as possible.

Please note that the definitions in our statistics encyclopedia are simplified explanations of terms. Our goal is to make the definitions accessible for a broad audience; thus it is possible that some definitions do not adhere entirely to scientific standards.

Entries starting with L