Algebraic connections between the least squares and total least squares problems

Summary In this paper the closeness of the total least squares (TLS) and the classical least squares (LS) problem is studied algebraically. Interesting algebraic connections between their solutions, their residuals, their corrections applied to data fitting and their approximate subspaces are proven.All these relationships point out the parameters which mainly determine the equivalences and differences between the two techniques. These parameters also lead to a better understanding of the differences in sensitivity between both approaches with respect to perturbations of the data.In particular, it is shown how the differences between both approaches increase when the equationsAXB become less compatible, when the length ofB orX is growing or whenA tends to be rank-deficient. They are maximal whenB is parallel with the singular vector ofA associated with its smallest singular value. Furthermore, it is shown how TLS leads to a weighted LS problem, and assumptions about the underlying perturbation model of both techniques are deduced. It is shown that many perturbation models correspond with the same TLS solution.Senior Research Assistant of the Belgian N.F.W.O. (National Fund of Scientific Research)