After obtaining the values of a and b, plot the straight line y =ax + b using values of a and b obtained by eqs. (9) and (10). Plot the measured points (y_i , x_i ) too on the same graph. See how well experimental data points are clustered around this straight line.

Quit often you may be able to reduce the equation to the linear form by suitable rearrangements. For example if y = ce^x , then ln y = lnc + x, so a plot of ln y vs x would be a straight line and one can calculate the constants from the slop and the intercepts with the minimum possible standard deviation.