Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) - An Introduction to the Formula and Its Application

May 26, 2025 By Kelly Walker

The multiple linear regression (MLR) method has applications in statistics. It predicts the outcome of a response variable by using many variables that explain it. Quite a few industries use it a lot. Finance, economics, biology, social sciences, and marketing are some of the sectors. This article will describe the multiple linear regression formula. Further, the article includes how to use multiple linear regression formulas.

What Is Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)?

MLR figures out how two or more independent variables and one dependent variable are linked. It goes beyond linear regression and is sometimes called multiple regression.

MLR can be used to make educated guesses about the factors that affect a person's income. The level of education, the number of years of experience, and the job title are all things that can change. In this case, pay is the thing that matters. Also, the independent variables are the level of education, the number of years on the job, and the job title.

Multiple Linear Regression Formula

The formula of Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) is as follows:

Y = β0 + β1X1 + β2X2 + … + βkXk + ε

Here:

  • yi​ is the dependent or predicted variable
  • β0 is the y-intercept
  • β1 and β2 are the regression coefficients
  • βp is the slope coefficient for each independent variable
  • ϵ is the model's residual term

MLR does the following three calculations to find the line that fits each independent variable the best:

  1. The regression coefficients that result in the least amount of error for the model as a whole
  2. The value of the t statistic for the entire model
  3. The p-value is associated with this.

Linear vs. Multiple Regression

The linear regression method is one of the most common regression analysis methods. Multiple regression is a type of regression that is more general. It includes both linear and nonlinear regressions with many variables that explain things. Also, this type of regression can be used to look into a wide range of things.

These are two different ways to use statistics. They serve to differentiate between independent and dependent variables. Linear regression differs from multiple regression because it only uses one independent variable. Multiple regression, on the other hand, uses two or more variables that can be changed on their own. Besides, multiple regression isn't as easy to understand as linear regression because it often needs more data and can be harder to understand. Simple data sets are ideal candidates for linear regression analysis and forecasting. Finally, multiple regression is used to analyze large data sets and make predictions regarding complex research challenges.

How to Use Multiple Linear Regression Formula

To use the formula for multiple linear regression, we need to perform the steps that are listed below:

  1. To start using MLR, the first step is to collect data. The information must be right, useful, and a good representation of the population.
  2. The next step is to build a model with the help of the MLR formula. A statistical method estimates the values of the coefficients.
  3. After building the model, we must look at it to see how well it matches the data. Numerous statistical strategies exist for accomplishing this goal. With these measurements, we can better understand what is going on. Knowing how well the model can predict the dependent variable is essential.
  4. We can use the model to make predictions by just putting in the values of the independent variables. The model will tell us what we can expect the dependent variable to be worth.

Applications of Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)

It is a widely used statistical technique with many practical applications. Some of the applications of MLR are:

  1. Predicting Sales
  2. Estimating Home Prices
  3. Medical Research
  4. Credit Risk Assessment

Multiple Regression Models in Finance

A multiple regression model is one of the essential tools in the business. Multiple regression models can be used to predict how stocks and currencies will do in the future. These models look at variables that are not related to each other. Just as important, using these models lets financial analysts make more accurate predictions about how assets will do.

Multiple regression models can also look at the risk and return of investment portfolios. They can predict sales and income for financial organizations and measure the risk of lending money to people with bad credit. Lastly, using multiple regression models can help people in the financial industry make better investment decisions and handle risk.

What MLR Can Tell You?

While working with statistics, it is a beneficial tool to have. It has the potential to assist us in determining the relationships between several independent factors and a dependent variable. MLR is a useful method for determining the degree to which several variables are related.

Simple linear regression aims to generate predictions about one variable based on what is known about another variable. The usage of linear regression is restricted to situations where both variables under consideration may be characterized as continuous. On top of this, the independent variable is a parameter that can be utilized to determine the dependent variable. A multivariate regression model considers a wide variety of variables in its construction.

Is It Possible to Perform a Multiple Regression by Hand?

That is not likely at all. When we add more variables to the analysis, the models will likely become more challenging to understand. You require statistical software or built-in features in a program like Excel to do multiple regression.

To Wrap Up

Multiple Linear Regression is what MLR stands for. Studying the relationship between many independent variables and one dependent variable is useful. Multiple regression is a type of regression that goes beyond linear (OLS) regression. This only uses one variable to explain something. In econometrics and financial inference, it is used a lot. We can use the data to make better predictions and estimates if we understand the formula well. Finally, we can use MLR to learn important things about different fields.

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