Viability of log-log transformation for some data

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the application of log-log transformations in statistical analysis, particularly in the context of a project involving the relationship between the distance and speed of dominoes. Participants confirm that log-log transformations can linearize data with power relationships, but caution that they do not work effectively on parabolas with vertices not centered at the origin without adjustments. Specifically, using transformations like log(x-1) is necessary to account for offsets in such cases.

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RubinLicht
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I have taken AP Statistics, and this is for the final project. What we have learned consists of some simple significant tests (t test, z test for proportions, two sample tests, chi squared, and logarithmic transforms).

My partner and I are considering creating a scatter plot of distance between dominoes and the speed of the dominoes. If we applied a logarithmic transformation to the data (assuming there is some power relationship, which is most definitely not centered at the origin), would the data appear somewhat linear?

I would also like a clarification, do log log transformations work on, say, parabolas with vertexes not centered at (0,0)? (I just plotted a parabola with its vertex at 2,4 in mathematica, and the graph turned out strange for values to the left of the vertex, is there any way to amend for this?)Thanks
 
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RubinLicht said:
If we applied a logarithmic transformation to the data (assuming there is some power relationship, which is most definitely not centered at the origin), would the data appear somewhat linear?
Test it? For some relations it can become linear.

RubinLicht said:
I would also like a clarification, do log log transformations work on, say, parabolas with vertexes not centered at (0,0)?
No, unless you take that offset into account separately (e. g. plot log(x-1) instead of log(x)).
 

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