6 ms·

One has to be careful with inspecting log graphs by mere looks. What looks like a small difference from expected to actual value in log scale can be very large

One has to be careful with inspecting log graphs by mere looks. What looks like a small difference from expected to actual value in log scale can be very large difference in terms of actual values. So it bothers me a bit that there is no actual fit and error margins.

liberte82 9y ago
What looks like a small deviation is only actually a large difference on a linear scale, in these graphs. On a logarithmic scale, it’s a small difference. That’s the point of scaling it logarithmically in the first place, to show how closely the planets line up on this scale.
- perlgeek 9y ago
  The purpose of plotting it on a logarithmic scale is to demonstrate a power law, not necessarily to obscure a deviation from the linear-in-log power law.
floil 9y ago
Moreover, x and y are not independent on this plot -- x is just the rank of y. A graph constructed this way can never dip down. So a linear-looking upward trend is basically guaranteed.
petters 9y ago
Completely agree. I made a plot with a uniform distribution: https://www.strandmark.net/Planets.html https://www.strandmark.net/Planets.html So I am not sure there is anything going on here.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
wpietri 9y ago
Mar's Law: "Everything is linear if plotted on a log-log scale with a fat magic marker." It's #6 on the excellent (and surprisingly software-applicable) "Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design": http://spacecraft.ssl.umd.edu/akins_laws.html http://spacecraft.ssl.umd.edu/akins_laws.html
- joveian 9y ago
  Those are good. My favorites: 16. The previous people who did a similar analysis did not have a direct pipeline to the wisdom of the ages. There is therefore no reason to believe their analysis over yours. There is especially no reason to present their analysis as yours. 21. (Larrabee's Law) Half of everything you hear in a classroom is crap. Education is figuring out which half is which. 29. (von Tiesenhausen's Law of Program Management) To get an accurate estimate of final program requirements, multiply the initial time estimates by pi, and slide the decimal point on the cost estimates one place to the right. 30. (von Tiesenhausen's Law of Engineering Design) If you want to have a maximum effect on the design of a new engineering system, learn to draw. Engineers always wind up designing the vehicle to look like the initial artist's concept.

liberte82 9y ago

What looks like a small deviation is only actually a large difference on a linear scale, in these graphs. On a logarithmic scale, it’s a small difference. That’s the point of scaling it logarithmically in the first place, to show how closely the planets line up on this scale.

perlgeek 9y ago
The purpose of plotting it on a logarithmic scale is to demonstrate a power law, not necessarily to obscure a deviation from the linear-in-log power law.

floil 9y ago

Moreover, x and y are not independent on this plot -- x is just the rank of y. A graph constructed this way can never dip down. So a linear-looking upward trend is basically guaranteed.

petters 9y ago

Completely agree. I made a plot with a uniform distribution: https://www.strandmark.net/Planets.html https://www.strandmark.net/Planets.html So I am not sure there is anything going on here.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]

wpietri 9y ago

Mar's Law: "Everything is linear if plotted on a log-log scale with a fat magic marker." It's #6 on the excellent (and surprisingly software-applicable) "Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design": http://spacecraft.ssl.umd.edu/akins_laws.html http://spacecraft.ssl.umd.edu/akins_laws.html

joveian 9y ago
Those are good. My favorites: 16. The previous people who did a similar analysis did not have a direct pipeline to the wisdom of the ages. There is therefore no reason to believe their analysis over yours. There is especially no reason to present their analysis as yours. 21. (Larrabee's Law) Half of everything you hear in a classroom is crap. Education is figuring out which half is which. 29. (von Tiesenhausen's Law of Program Management) To get an accurate estimate of final program requirements, multiply the initial time estimates by pi, and slide the decimal point on the cost estimates one place to the right. 30. (von Tiesenhausen's Law of Engineering Design) If you want to have a maximum effect on the design of a new engineering system, learn to draw. Engineers always wind up designing the vehicle to look like the initial artist's concept.