loglog: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Rare / Technical
UK/ˌlɒɡˈlɒɡ/US/ˌlɔːɡˈlɔːɡ/

Technical / Academic

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Quick answer

What does “loglog” mean?

A graph or mathematical operation where both axes use a logarithmic scale, representing the logarithm of a logarithm.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A graph or mathematical operation where both axes use a logarithmic scale, representing the logarithm of a logarithm.

In mathematics and engineering, refers to a double-logarithmic scale plot, used to analyze data spanning many orders of magnitude or to reveal power-law relationships.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant lexical differences. The concept and terminology are identical in both technical communities.

Connotations

Purely technical, with no cultural or stylistic connotations.

Frequency

Extremely rare outside of specialised fields like physics, engineering, signal processing, and certain branches of mathematics and economics.

Grammar

How to Use “loglog” in a Sentence

[to plot/be plotted] on a logloga loglog of [variable] vs [variable]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
loglog plotloglog scaleloglog graphloglog paper
medium
plotted on a loglogloglog axesloglog representation
weak
loglog analysisloglog chartloglog diagram

Examples

Examples of “loglog” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The researcher chose to plot the results on a loglog to reveal the scaling law.
  • To properly analyse the spectral density, you must first loglog the data.

American English

  • The engineer decided to plot the frequency response on a loglog.
  • For this type of correlation, you should always loglog your variables.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rarely used, except potentially in high-level quantitative finance or economic modelling.

Academic

Common in technical papers for physics, engineering, and applied mathematics to display power-law data.

Everyday

Virtually never used.

Technical

The primary context of use. Essential vocabulary for data presentation in many scientific fields.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “loglog”

Strong

log-log plot

Neutral

double-logarithmic plotlog-log plot

Weak

logarithmic graph (less specific)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “loglog”

linear plotlinear scalearithmetic plot

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “loglog”

  • Using 'loglog' as a verb (e.g., 'I will loglog the data'). Correct: 'I will plot the data on a loglog.'
  • Confusing it with a semi-log plot (which has only one logarithmic axis).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but it is a technical term used almost exclusively in mathematics, science, and engineering. It is not used in everyday conversation.

A loglog plot uses a logarithmic scale on both the x and y axes. A semi-log plot uses a logarithmic scale on only one axis (usually the y-axis) and a linear scale on the other.

In strict terms, it is a noun. However, in highly technical jargon, it is sometimes used informally as a verb meaning 'to plot on a loglog scale'.

It is common in physics (e.g., for spectral analysis), engineering (e.g., signal processing, fatigue analysis), economics (for Pareto distributions), and any field that deals with power laws and data spanning many orders of magnitude.

A graph or mathematical operation where both axes use a logarithmic scale, representing the logarithm of a logarithm.

Loglog is usually technical / academic in register.

Loglog: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɒɡˈlɒɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɔːɡˈlɔːɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Remember it as LOG stacked on LOG: to see a vast range of data, you take the log, and then you take the log again.

Conceptual Metaphor

A MAGNIFYING GLASS FOR EXPONENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS. A loglog scale compresses vast numerical ranges, making multiplicative patterns (like doubling) appear as straight lines.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
When you have data that spans several orders of magnitude, it is often useful to plot it on a scale to see the underlying trend.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary purpose of a loglog plot?