Logarithmic
Logarithmic (Medicine)
Logarithmic (pronunciation: /lɒɡəˈrɪðmɪk/) in the field of medicine refers to a type of scale or measurement that uses the logarithm of a physical quantity instead of the quantity itself.
Etymology
The term "logarithmic" is derived from the Greek words "logos" which means "ratio" and "arithmos" which means "number".
Definition
In medicine, a logarithmic scale is often used in cases where the data covers a large range of values, such as the measurement of sound intensity (in decibels), or the concentration of a drug in the bloodstream. The logarithmic scale allows for a more manageable range of numbers, making it easier to compare and interpret the data.
Related Terms
- Decibel: A unit of measurement used on a logarithmic scale to measure sound intensity.
- pH: A logarithmic scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution.
- Logarithmic growth: A concept used in biology to describe how the population of a species can grow exponentially in an ideal, unlimited environment.
- Semi-log plot: A graph where one axis is on a logarithmic scale (either the horizontal or vertical axis), used in biology and medicine to present data that spans several orders of magnitude, such as the effects of an antibiotic on a bacterial population over time.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Logarithmic
- Wikipedia's article - Logarithmic
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