Given the foregoing assumptions, the least squares estimate of the normal regression line may be obtained with the following formula.

P: population. A: area. F: fishing miles.

The equations of the lines are:

P = a + b (ln A)
P = a' + b' (ln F)

the estimate of b is (Bennett and Franklin, 1954, p. 224)

Σ(Xi − X̅)(Yi − Y̅)
b̂ = ------------------------------------
Σ(Xi − X)2

and of a is

â = Y̅ − b̂X̅

where Xi = ln A for each group with known population and Yi = P for each known group.

Similarly the estimate of b' is