Some of our senses operate in a logarithmic fashion ( Weber–Fechner law), which makes logarithmic scales for these input quantities especially appropriate. Absorbance of light by transparent samples.

Krumbein scale for particle size in geology.Stellar magnitude scale for brightness of stars.The following are examples of commonly used logarithmic scales, where a larger quantity results in a lower (or negative) value: Map of the solar system and distance to Alpha Centauri using a logarithmic scale Particle size distribution curves of soil.The rule of nines used for rating low probabilities.Counting f-stops for ratios of photographic exposure.Frequency level, with units cent, minor second, major second, and octave for the relative pitch of notes in music.Neper for amplitude, field and power quantities.Richter magnitude scale and moment magnitude scale (MMS) for strength of earthquakes and movement in the EarthĪ logarithmic scale makes it easy to compare values that cover a large range, such as in this map.The following are examples of commonly used logarithmic scales, where a larger quantity results in a higher value: The markings on slide rules are arranged in a log scale for multiplying or dividing numbers by adding or subtracting lengths on the scales. Often exponential growth curves are displayed on a log scale, otherwise they would increase too quickly to fit within a small graph.Ī logarithmic scale from 0.1 to 100 The two logarithmic scales of a slide rule Common uses

Likewise, the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and so on, would be equally spaced. In nonlinear scale, the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on would not be equally spaced. As opposed to a linear number line in which every unit of distance corresponds to adding by the same amount, on a logarithmic scale, every unit of length corresponds to multiplying the previous value by the same amount. Measurement scale based on orders of magnitude Semi-log plot of the Internet host count over time shown on a logarithmic scaleĪ logarithmic scale (or log scale) is a way of displaying numerical data over a very wide range of values in a compact way.

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