# Finding a function for $4$ dimension data set

I've got a bunch of data with integer values for let's say variables $$X_1, X_2, X_3$$ and an also integer value $$Y$$ for each set of $$X_{1-3}$$. My goal would be to find something like a formula that would show the mathematical operations between the variables $$X_{1-3}$$ to get the value of $$Y$$, with the help of computer software. Kind of like reverse-engineering a function into a formula to be able to calculate the value for any $$X_{1-3}$$ values, or even plot it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I understand this process is called interpolation for points in between and extrapolation for points outside my data range. However, since with that I have zero experience, I cannot be sure, especially considering almost every article about those already had a certain function to interpolate, and didn't work with a data set.

So can anyone point a newbie like me in the right direction, and perhaps suggest some software for doing that? My idea was MATLAB, since I have access to a student's licence of it, but if it can't do it I'm open for other suggestions as well.

EDIT: Some additional info that I forgot to mention, and may help: all the variables have positive sign, and may have constant multipliers (a*X1, etc...).

PS: never talked about maths in English before so apologies if something is incorrect :)

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• Since you have discrete integer values that you're trying to predict, I would call this, in the language of machine learning, a classification problem. The standard go-to model for classification is logistic regression, though it might not give you the best results. It's probably the best-understood algorithm. – Adrian Keister Aug 12 at 14:43
• I see, and thank you for getting that straight. I would assume in case of machine learning it would take a lot more data than what I currently have. I have around 100 sets of measurements, but from what I've heard these AI-based solutions require tens of thousands, is that correct? – Dave Aug 14 at 6:53
• Well, that depends on the data, actually! Sometimes, there comes a point where more data doesn't help all that much. And over-fitting is a constant problem. Definitely recommend logistic regression to start you off. – Adrian Keister Aug 14 at 13:40