Free printable resources · Original practice

Semi-log graph paper.
Choose which axis changes.

Keep one axis linear and make the other logarithmic. Compare exact growth and decay data, with the logarithmic axis clearly labeled.

Two axis orientations.
Growth + decay answers.

A task, a reference and a way to check it

Keep one axis linear and make the other logarithmic. Compare exact growth and decay data, with the logarithmic axis clearly labeled.

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Plot the pairs, then check the relationship

The complete collection

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Use the student pack first, then compare the reference or answer. Packs are PDFs; individual sheets below also include editable SVG files. The paper choice applies to every download.

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TaskGiven pairs (x,y)Worked result
SL01(0,1); (1,2); (2,4); (3,8); (4,16)Multiplier 2. y=2^x. y(5)=32. log10(y) slope = log10(2).
SL02(0,100); (1,50); (2,25); (3,12.5); (4,6.25)Multiplier 0.5. y=100*(1/2)^x. y(5)=3.125. log10(y) slope = -log10(2).

Doubling and halving on a logarithmic y-axis

SL01 uses y = 2ˣ, so log10(y) = x log10(2). At x = 0, y = 1; the point is allowed because x is on a linear axis. Four steps give 16 and the next step gives 32. SL02 uses y = 100(1/2)ˣ, so log10(y) = 2 − x log10(2). Its next value after 6.25 is 3.125.

LayoutHorizontal rangeVertical rangeA straight line means
Main log-yx = 0–10, lineary = 1–100, log10log10(y) is linear in x
Optional log-xx = 1–100, log10y = 0–10, lineary is linear in log10(x)

The optional transposed blank is a separate coordinate layout, not a relabeling of the same data. Keep the names and numerical ranges of both axes with the chart. A logarithmic input must be positive; values such as 0.5 are valid mathematically but outside these particular 1–100 log ranges.

Work through the page

  1. Selecting the Correct Axis Orientation

    Begin by choosing the appropriate PDF or SVG file based on your data structure. The main blank features a linear x-axis ranging from zero to ten and a logarithmic y-axis spanning one to one hundred. This orientation suits exponential growth or decay where the independent variable is linear. If your data requires a logarithmic x-axis from one to one hundred and a linear y-axis from zero to ten, select the optional transposed blank instead. Ensure you download the Letter or A4 size that matches your printer settings. This initial selection prevents axis mismatch errors during plotting.

  2. Plotting Points on the Logarithmic Scale

    When plotting data, remember that zero is permitted on the linear axes but strictly excluded from the logarithmic axes. For the main blank, plot y-values between one and one hundred. Values below one are valid logarithmic inputs but fall outside the supplied range, so choose a chart with another labeled range; do not alter a value to make it fit. Use the provided worksheets SL01 and SL02 for practice. SL01 plots y equals two to the power of x, while SL02 plots y equals one hundred times one-half to the power of x. Mark each coordinate precisely to visualize the linear relationship on the log scale.

  3. Verifying Exponential Relationships

    The supplied points come from exact exponential equations. On the main orientation, log10(y) is linear in x: SL01 has slope log10(2), about 0.30103, and SL02 has the opposite slope. For SL01, every increase of one in x doubles y; for SL02 it halves y. The next values are 32 and 3.125 respectively. A straight-looking plot of real observations alone does not establish an exact exponential law. Also read the axis orientation: on the transposed blank, a straight line instead expresses a linear relationship between y and log10(x).

Checks that catch common errors

Watch forCheck instead
Plotting zero on the logarithmic axisZero is allowed only on the linear axes. The logarithmic axes range from one to one hundred, so ensure all y-values in the main blank are positive and within this range.
Using the main blank for logarithmic x-dataThe main blank has a linear x-axis. If your independent variable requires a logarithmic scale from one to one hundred, switch to the optional transposed blank where x is log10 and y is linear.
Interpreting a straight line as a power relationOn the main blank, x is linear and y is logarithmic, so these exact exponential examples form straight lines. On the transposed blank, y is linear in log10(x). A power relationship is linear in log-log coordinates. Read both axis labels first.

Print a test sheet before the full pack

Choose the file matching the paper in your printer. Print the PDF at Actual size / 100%, turning off Fit, Shrink and browser headers. An SVG editor or browser can change its scale even though the file uses millimeter dimensions. Use the supplied calibration bars where present when a task depends on physical size; a screen preview alone does not establish printed size.

The packs contain the same individual pages in collection order. They are a convenient download, not extra different exercises. On coordinate plots, uniform scaling preserves the numerical positions relative to the axes. On image-copy tasks, keep the specified proportions and any stated source-to-target enlargement. Color is optional: labels, line positions and relative lightness also explain the references.

Useful answers

Can I plot values less than one on the y-axis?

Positive sub-one values are valid logarithmic inputs mathematically, but they fall outside the supplied one to one hundred range on the main blank. You would need to adjust the scale or use a different template.

Are the worksheets based on real experimental data?

No. The data in worksheets SL01 and SL02 are synthetic and exact. They are designed to demonstrate exponential growth and decay patterns without claiming any real-world experimental trends or physical measurements.

What file formats are available for printing?

The resource is available in both PDF and SVG formats. You can choose between Letter and A4 paper sizes to match your printer settings. No physical printer checks have been performed, so verify your output locally.

Are the answers and editable files free too?

Yes. Every linked worksheet, PDF, SVG and answer is free without signup. Original Zumola resources use CC BY 4.0: credit Zumola, link the license and indicate changes. Analytics consent is not required to download or use them.

Keep practicing

Further reading: OpenStax: exponential models. The downloadable illustrations, data tasks and geometry are original Zumola work.

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