5 Explain how you decided what scale to use for your line plots.

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1. **Examine the Data Range:**  
   First, I looked at the minimum and maximum values in the dataset. If the range was very large or if the data spanned several orders of magnitude (for example, values ranging from $$10^{-2}$$ to $$10^4$$), a logarithmic scale might be more informative. Otherwise, a linear scale would suffice.

2. **Consider the Nature of the Data:**  
   I analyzed the underlying behavior of the data. For instance:  
   - If the data showed exponential growth or a multiplicative process, a logarithmic scale could better capture the relative changes.  
   - If the data represented additive or linear trends, a linear scale was more appropriate.

3. **Assess the Relationships and Trends:**  
   I plotted preliminary graphs with both scales to see which one revealed the relationships and trends in the data more clearly. If the details were obscured on a linear scale due to compression of smaller values, I would switch to a logarithmic scale to provide a clearer view.

4. **Consider the Audience:**  
   I thought about the audience’s familiarity with different scales. A linear scale is often more intuitive, but if the data’s behavior (e.g., exponential growth) requires a logarithmic scale for clarity, I ensured to explain the choice in the plot caption or legend.

5. **Evaluate the Plot’s Purpose:**  
   Lastly, I aligned the scale choice with the plot’s goals. For instance, if the focus was on growth rates or proportional differences, using a logarithmic scale allowed for a better visual comparison of relative changes. Conversely, for absolute differences, a linear scale was chosen.

In summary, I decided on the scale by considering the data range, nature of the relationship, clarity of trends, the audience’s familiarity, and the specific goals of the line plot.
I chose the scale based on the data range and the type of relationship it showed. If the data spanned a wide range, I used a logarithmic scale to better display relative changes. Otherwise, a linear scale was appropriate. I also considered how the scale would help in clearly showing trends and was mindful of the audience's familiarity with the chosen scale.

5 Explain how you decided what scale to use for your line plots.

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