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A log scale plot shows fluctuations of equal percentage with equal visual size, so it is particularly useful in the case of bitcoin, where you may be interested
by grmarcil 12y ago
A log scale plot shows fluctuations of equal percentage with equal visual size, so it is particularly useful in the case of bitcoin, where you may be interested in comparing price swings at $100 levels and $1 levels.
Eg. A log scale plot shows a $1 to $2 increase as the same vertical hight as a $100 to $200 increase. In a linear scale plot, all you notice is the $100 to $200 increase and the $1 to $2 swing looks like nothing.
- rsynnott 12y agoBitcoin's no longer really fluctuating at such a rate that this feature is valuable enough to offset potential confusion in a news article for general consumption, though.
- ars 12y ago> to offset potential confusion I don't understand how you can say that. A logarithmic graph is LESS confusing. With a non-logarithmic graph you have to mentally "warp" the graph to learn anything from it - I doubt people can do that in their head. It makes little difference how much the value changes - that's the entire POINT of a logarithmic graph, it works perfectly for small changes and for large.
- d23 12y agoDoh! I somehow after 16 years of education never managed to understand the point of the log scale. Thank you.