What is a logarithmic scale and why is it useful example?

A logarithmic scale is a nonlinear scale often used when analyzing a large range of quantities. Instead of increasing in equal increments, each interval is increased by a factor of the base of the logarithm. Typically, a base ten and base e scale are used.

What is meant by a logarithmic scale?

Definition of logarithmic scale

: a scale on which the actual distance of a point from the scale’s zero is proportional to the logarithm of the corresponding scale number rather than to the number itself — compare arithmetic scale.

When would you use a logarithmic scale?

When are logarithmic scales used? You typically use a logarithmic scale for two reasons. The first reason is when large values skew the graph of the data, and the second is to show multiplicative factors or percent changes. Many careers use logarithmic scales, from farmers to researchers.

How do you make a logarithmic scale?

In your XY (scatter) graph, double-click the scale of each axis. In the Format Axis box, select the Scale tab, and then check Logarithmic scale.

Is the earthquake scale logarithmic?

The Richter Scale is a base-ten logarithmic scale. In other words, an earthquake of magnitude 8 is not twice as great as an earthquake of magnitude 4. It is 108-4=104=10,000 times as great!

Is pH a logarithmic scale?

The pH scale is logarithmic, essentially meaning the difference in 1 pH unit is a difference of 10 times! In a previous blog post, we introduced exactly what we are measuring when we take a pH measurement – hydrogen ion activity or concentration.

How do you read a logarithmic scale?

What is the difference between logarithmic and linear scale?

A logarithmic price scale uses the percentage of change to plot data points, so, the scale prices are not positioned equidistantly. A linear price scale uses an equal value between price scales providing an equal distance between values.

What is the benefit of using a logarithmic scale?

Presentation of data on a logarithmic scale can be helpful when the data: covers a large range of values, since the use of the logarithms of the values rather than the actual values reduces a wide range to a more manageable size; may contain exponential laws or power laws, since these will show up as straight lines.

What is a logarithmic scale vs linear?

A logarithmic price scale uses the percentage of change to plot data points, so, the scale prices are not positioned equidistantly. A linear price scale uses an equal value between price scales providing an equal distance between values.

How do you read a logarithmic scale?

What is the difference between logarithmic and exponential?

Logarithmic functions are the inverses of exponential functions. The inverse of the exponential function y = ax is x = ay. The logarithmic function y = logax is defined to be equivalent to the exponential equation x = ay.

How do you know if a graph is exponential or logarithmic?

As you can tell from the graph to the right, the logarithmic curve is a reflection of the exponential curve.

Comparison of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions.
ExponentialLogarithmic
Functiony=ax, a>0, a≠1y=loga x, a>0, a≠1
Domainall realsx > 0
Rangey > 0all reals

How logarithms are used in real life?

The Real-Life scenario of Logarithms is to measure the acidic, basic or neutral of a substance that describes a chemical property in terms of pH value.

What is the benefit of using a logarithmic scale?

Presentation of data on a logarithmic scale can be helpful when the data: covers a large range of values, since the use of the logarithms of the values rather than the actual values reduces a wide range to a more manageable size; may contain exponential laws or power laws, since these will show up as straight lines.

What does a logarithmic graph look like?

How do you explain logarithms to students?

Why do we need to learn logarithms?

Logarithms can be used to solve exponential equations and to explore the properties of exponential functions. They will also become extremely valuable in calculus, where they will be used to calculate the slope of certain functions and the area bounded by certain curves.

What is a logarithm in simple terms?

A logarithm is the power to which a number must be raised in order to get some other number (see Section 3 of this Math Review for more about exponents). For example, the base ten logarithm of 100 is 2, because ten raised to the power of two is 100: log 100 = 2.

What are the 7 rules of logarithms?

Rules of Logarithms
  • Rule 1: Product Rule. The logarithm of the product is the sum of the logarithms of the factors.
  • Rule 2: Quotient Rule. …
  • Rule 3: Power Rule. …
  • Rule 4: Zero Rule. …
  • Rule 5: Identity Rule. …
  • Rule 6: Inverse Property of Logarithm. …
  • Rule 7: Inverse Property of Exponent. …
  • Rule 8: Change of Base Formula.

What is the easiest way to learn logarithms?

What are the types of logarithms?

Two kinds of logarithms are often used in chemistry: common (or Briggian) logarithms and natural (or Napierian) logarithms. The power to which a base of 10 must be raised to obtain a number is called the common logarithm (log) of the number. The power to which the base e (e = 2.718281828…….)

What are the examples of logarithmic equation?

LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
ExamplesEXAMPLES OF LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
Log2 x = -55 + ln 2x = 4
ln x + ln (x – 2) = 1log6 x + log6 (x + 1) = 1
SolvingSTEPS TO SOLVE A logarithmic EQUATIONS