Linear vs logarithmic scales.

• Human hearing is better measured on a logarithmic scale than a linear scale.
• On a linear scale, a change between two values is perceived on the basis of the difference between the values. Thus, for example, a change from 1 to 2 would be perceived as the same amount of increase as from 4 to 5.
• On a logarithmic scale, a change between two values is perceived on the basis of the ratio of the two values. That is, a change from 1 to 2 (ratio of 1:2) would be perceived as the same amount of increase as a change from 4 to 8 (also a ratio of 1:2).

Figure 1: Moving one unit to the right increment by 1 on the linear scale and multiplies by a factor of 10 on the logarithmic scale.