Understanding the Dex Error System in Black Hole Mass Measurements

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The discussion focuses on the concept of "dex" in the context of black hole mass measurements. "Dex" is a logarithmic unit used in astronomy, defined as dex(x) = 10^x, where a value expressed as X +/- Y dex indicates a range based on this logarithmic scale. Specifically, 1 dex corresponds to a factor of 10, making it similar to the bel unit. The term "dex" is derived from "decimal exponent," emphasizing its mathematical foundation. Understanding this concept is crucial for interpreting black hole mass values accurately in scientific literature.
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I've been reading various journal articles about black hole masses. The values given there are given by X +/- Y dex. I cannot find any literature on "dex" nor do the articles go into detail as it is evidently a basic concept that I've just never come across.

Could someone enlighten me?
 
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from this website I got the definition of dex as:

dex
a logarithmic unit being used in astronomy. Originally, dex was a convenient function defined by dex (x) = 10x. But the notation is now being used after the exponent in expressions such as -.043 dex, meaning 10-.043. Thus 1 dex equals a factor of 10, making the dex identical to the bel. The name "dex" is a contraction of "decimal exponent."

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/dictD.html
 

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