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semilog

semilog

1 8.6
Having one axis on a log scale and the other on a normal scale
  • adjective
  • Specialized
: semilogarítmico
  • When data spans several orders of magnitude, a semilog graph can make trends easier to see.

Examples

  • The scientist used a semilog plot to display the exponential growth of the bacteria.

  • A semilog scale is often used in engineering to represent frequency responses.

  • The data was plotted on a semilog scale.

  • Why are we using a semilog graph?

  • The scientist used a semilog plot to display the exponential growth of the bacteria.

  • When data spans several orders of magnitude, a semilog graph can make trends easier to see.

  • A semilog scale is often used in engineering to represent frequency responses.

Surface Forms

semilog positive

Morphology

semilog = log (semi-transparent) = semi + log

The form is clearly built from semi- + log, but the graphing sense depends on the specialized technical meaning of log.

Etymology

Semilog comes from semi- meaning 'half' or 'partly', as in semicircle, and log short for 'logarithm', like the 'log' button on a calculator. So, semilog describes something that is 'half log' and has one axis on a 'log' scale while the other axis stays a normal linear scale.