In the multiple regression equation, b0 represents what?

In the multiple regression equation, b0 represents what?

• A. The intercept, the predicted value when all predictors are zero
• B. A predictor variable
• C. The residual variance
• D. The standard error of the regression

Answer: (A)

The intercept is the predicted value of the dependent variable when all predictors are zero. In the regression equation y = b0 + b1x1 + ... + bkxk, b0 sets the baseline level of y before any predictor effects are added. It’s the point where the regression plane crosses the y-axis. It isn’t a predictor, nor does it represent residual variance or the standard error of the regression. Remember, if zero isn’t a meaningful value for some predictors, the intercept may be hard to interpret and researchers sometimes center predictors to make it more interpretable.

The intercept is the predicted value of the dependent variable when all predictors are zero. In the regression equation y = b0 + b1x1 + ... + bkxk, b0 sets the baseline level of y before any predictor effects are added. It’s the point where the regression plane crosses the y-axis. It isn’t a predictor, nor does it represent residual variance or the standard error of the regression. Remember, if zero isn’t a meaningful value for some predictors, the intercept may be hard to interpret and researchers sometimes center predictors to make it more interpretable.