Logarithmic scale
Logarithmic Scale
A Logarithmic Scale (pronunciation: /ˌlɒɡəˈrɪθmɪk skeɪl/) is a method of displaying numerical data over a very wide range of values in a compact way—typically the largest numbers in the data are hundreds or even thousands of times larger than the smallest numbers. The term originates from the Greek words 'logos' meaning ratio and 'arithmos' meaning number.
Description
The idea of a logarithmic scale is that each increment on the scale corresponds to the data value multiplying by a fixed factor, rather than adding a fixed amount as in a linear scale. This is useful when the data includes both very large and very small numbers which need to be accommodated on the same graph.
Usage
Logarithmic scales are used in many areas of science and engineering, where they help to bring out features of the data that might otherwise be lost. They are also used in economic modeling, music theory, and many other disciplines.
Related Terms
- Decibel: A unit of measurement used in acoustics, electronics, and control theory that expresses the logarithmic ratio between two values of power or intensity.
- Richter scale: A logarithmic scale used to express the total amount of energy released by an earthquake.
- pH: A logarithmic scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Logarithmic scale
- Wikipedia's article - Logarithmic scale
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