
Plots on paper with one log scale can show up exponential laws, and on log-log paper power laws, as straight lines (see semilog graph, log-log graph). Logarithmic graph paper, before the advent of computer graphics, was a basic scientific tool. The geometric mean of two numbers is midway between the numbers. On a logarithmic scale an equal difference in order of magnitude is represented by an equal distance. A slide rule has logarithmic scales, and nomograms often employ logarithmic scales. log( x) from the point marked with the number 1.Absorbance of light by transparent samples.Ī log scale makes it easy to compare values which cover a large range, such as in this mapĪ logarithmic scale is also a graphical scale on one or both sides of a graph where a number x is printed at a distance c.Krumbein scale for particle size in geology.stellar magnitude scale for brightness of stars.Some logarithmic scales were designed such that large values (or ratios) of the underlying quantity correspond to small values of the logarithmic measure. Particle Size Distribution curves of soil.rating low probabilities by the number of 'nines' in the decimal expansion of the probability of their not happening: for example, a system which will fail with a probability of 10 -5 is 99.999% reliable: "five nines".counting f-stops for ratios of photographic exposure.cent, minor second, major second, and octave for the relative pitch of notes in music.bel and decibel and neper for acoustic power (loudness) and electric power.ban and deciban, for information or weight of evidence.Richter magnitude scale and Moment magnitude scale (MMS) for strength of earthquakes and movement in the earth.On most logarithmic scales, small values (or ratios) of the underlying quantity correspond to negative values of the logarithmic measure. The base of the logarithm also has to be specified, unless the scale's value is considered to be a dimensional quantity expressed in generic (indefinite-base) logarithmic units. Deviating from these units means that the logarithmic measure will change by an additive constant. Logarithmic scales are either defined for ratios of the underlying quantity, or one has to agree to measure the quantity in fixed units. 5 Estimating values in a diagram with logarithmic scale.4.1.2 Finding the function from the log-log plot.4 Logarithmic and semi-logarithmic plots and equations of lines.
