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Nomograms

They are so old, they are back in style

Gaetan Lion

September 5th, 2013

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Introduction

• Nomograms are graphs or tables that

immediately calculate simple to complex

equations. They often depict equations

used in math, physics, medicine, and other

sciences.

• The way in which they depict information

is unusually effective and sometimes even

visually aesthetic.

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Starting out with straightforward

nomograms

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Additions

You can add any integer number (A + B) between -5 and +5

and the column in the middle gives you the solution.

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Multiplications

Multiply any two

numbers between 1

and 10, and the

column in the middle

gives you the

solution.

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More complex nomograms

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Solving a quadratic equation

It solves q^2 – ab + q = 0

a is on the horizontal axis

b is on vertical axis

q is on the circle

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Another quadratic

equation

Z = 5x + 10 y + 2xy

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Bayesian

Statistics

Calculating post-test

probability given pre-

test probability and

Likelihood ratio.

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Richter Scale vs Amplitude

Given the Richter

scale level, the

amplitude of the

ground shaking in

millimeters, and the

distance from the

epicenter, this

nomogram

calculates any of

those variables

given the other two.

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Richter Scale vs Amplitude

Just a cleaner version

of the same

nomogram shown on

the previous slide.

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An interesting physics function

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Other interesting nomograms…

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Given your height and

weight in either the

metric system or the

US one, and it

calculates your Body

Mass Index in the

middle column.

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Another interesting

visual

representation of

the Body Mass

Index that is

represented on a

curve. The green

zone B is the

normal BMI range

between 20 and 25.

The pink zone A is

20 and below which

is below normal

range. Yellow C is

slightly above

normal (> 25 < 27).

Red D is

overweight.

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A beautiful nomogram

Unfortunately, resolution is not good enough to interpret it. But, many

nomograms have similar aesthetic value.