curve.fit

Logistic 5PL

The five-parameter logistic curve: an S-shaped step between two plateaus that can be asymmetric. With S = 1 it is the four-parameter Hill curve. Use it for dose–response and immunoassay standard curves whose two halves differ.

Fit the example dataStart with your own data

Example: a simulated immunoassay standard curve, 14 points with y uncertainties, opened as a new copy you can edit.

Parameters

Plateau as x approaches 0, for positive B.
Slope factor: how steep the step is.
Location of the step. When S = 1, it is the midpoint, where y is halfway between A and D.
Plateau as x becomes large, for positive B.
Asymmetry factor. S = 1 gives the symmetric four-parameter form.

Tips

  • Fit Logistic 4PL (Hill) first, and add S only if the residuals show an asymmetry and the AIC in Fit Statistics falls by more than about 2. S is often strongly correlated with the other parameters.
  • The halfway point is at x = C(2^(1/S) − 1)^(1/B); it equals C only when S = 1.
  • Enter the dose or concentration itself, not its logarithm. A zero-dose control at x = 0 is fine; otherwise x/C must stay positive when B can take non-integer values.
  • Include points well into both plateaus.

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