I chose the decibel scale instead of using bits because bits were a bit awkward when the probabilities were close to 50%. From 0 bits to 1 the probability jumps 16.666%, and the odds doubles, but with decibels the first jump is about 6%, and doubles the odds around 3 decibels, and multiplies them by 10 in exactly 10 decibels.
I’m pretty sure I’m human, but I like bits better because they have a natural interpretation as the number of answers you’ve received to well crafted yes/no questions, which is something that a 10 year old can understand pretty easily.
I meant the math is easier. The same reason you multiply the log by 10 when using decibels—that way, you can talk about 11 decibels instead of 1.1, which would confuse and frighten people.
A similar table for bits: https://gist.github.com/2415775
Good one.
I chose the decibel scale instead of using bits because bits were a bit awkward when the probabilities were close to 50%. From 0 bits to 1 the probability jumps 16.666%, and the odds doubles, but with decibels the first jump is about 6%, and doubles the odds around 3 decibels, and multiplies them by 10 in exactly 10 decibels.
Yes, decibels are easier for humans.
I’m pretty sure I’m human, but I like bits better because they have a natural interpretation as the number of answers you’ve received to well crafted yes/no questions, which is something that a 10 year old can understand pretty easily.
I meant the math is easier. The same reason you multiply the log by 10 when using decibels—that way, you can talk about 11 decibels instead of 1.1, which would confuse and frighten people.