Section Summary

In this section we have studied semilog and log-log plots of data. If a semilog plot of the data lies approximately along a straight line, then it is reasonable to approximate the data with an exponential function. The slope of the approximating line may be used as the coefficient in the exponent of the model function — provided the base used is the same for the semilog plot and for the model function.

If a log-log plot of the data lies approximately along a straight line, then it is reasonable to approximate the data with a power function. The slope of the approximating straight line may be used for the power of the independent variable — and the power is the same, no matter what base is used for the slope calculation.