Comments on: Why to use logarithmic scales and with what software? http://www.dddinfographic.com/index.php/2006/03/22/why-to-use-logarithmic-scales-and-with-what-software/ Links and discussion on the world of information graphics, visual journalism and digital cartography Fri, 18 May 2012 15:33:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: dan http://www.dddinfographic.com/index.php/2006/03/22/why-to-use-logarithmic-scales-and-with-what-software/#comment-7 dan Thu, 23 Mar 2006 04:13:28 +0000 http://www.dddinfographic.com/index.php/2006/03/22/why-to-use-logarithmic-scales-and-with-what-software/#comment-7 Log scales are an ongoing discussion. In many cases, it is improper not to use one. When discussing stock, for example, the purchaser is concerned with the ratio of change of the stock from the time of purchase. So if you bought Oracle at $2 and it goes to $4 you double your money. But, if you bought Oracle at $76 and it gors to $78 you've gained very little. Log scales have the advantage of showing the range of values in relationship to each other where percentage change is concerned. At this point, I think they are safe to use as long as the reader is considered. Business readers are used to these because most financial websites, such as Bigcharts and Yahoo! present these charts as a rule. Log scales are an ongoing discussion. In many cases, it is improper not to use one.

When discussing stock, for example, the purchaser is concerned with the ratio of change of the stock from the time of purchase. So if you bought Oracle at $2 and it goes to $4 you double your money. But, if you bought Oracle at $76 and it gors to $78 you’ve gained very little.

Log scales have the advantage of showing the range of values in relationship to each other where percentage change is concerned.
At this point, I think they are safe to use as long as the reader is considered. Business readers are used to these because most financial websites, such as Bigcharts and Yahoo! present these charts as a rule.

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