A lag in time series analysis refers to the time delay between an observation in a dataset and its preceding values. It’s a fundamental concept for modeling dependencies in sequential data. For example, if you’re analyzing daily temperature, the temperature today might be related to the temperature one day ago (lag 1) or two days ago (lag 2). Lags are crucial when building models like ARIMA or autoregressive models because they help identify patterns and relationships in past data that influence current or future values. In an AR(1) model, for instance, the value at time 𝑡 t is predicted using the value at time 𝑡 − 1 t−1. The inclusion of lagged variables allows the model to account for these relationships. To analyze lag effects, tools like autocorrelation function (ACF) and partial autocorrelation function (PACF) plots are used. These plots measure how strongly a time series is correlated with its past values at different lags, providing guidance on the significance of specific lags for modeling.
What is a lag in time series analysis?

- Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) 101
- AI & Machine Learning
- GenAI Ecosystem
- The Definitive Guide to Building RAG Apps with LangChain
- Information Retrieval 101
- All learn series →
Recommended AI Learn Series
VectorDB for GenAI Apps
Zilliz Cloud is a managed vector database perfect for building GenAI applications.
Try Zilliz Cloud for FreeKeep Reading
What are the key components of an LLM?
The key components of an LLM include the transformer architecture, attention mechanisms, and embedding layers. The trans
How do autonomous vehicles use robotics for navigation and decision-making?
Autonomous vehicles rely heavily on robotics for navigation and decision-making by incorporating a combination of sensor
How does serverless computing influence modern application design?
Serverless computing significantly influences modern application design by promoting a shift in how developers architect