Question

What's the difference between a linear, quadratic, and logarithmic relationship?

Answer 1

Before I answer are you talking about equations?

Answer 2

No. I'm talking about a data table relationship. What's the difference between the three?

Answer 3

In a linear relationship, the variable has exponent 1. In a quadratic relationship, at least one instance of the variable has exponent 2. On a logarithmic scale, a change between two values is perceived on the basis of the ratio of the two values. That is, a change from 1 to 2 (ratio of 1:2) would be perceived as the same amount of increase as a change from 4 to 8 (also a ratio of 1:2).

Answer 4

I would imagine its sorta the same idea. If the data you have has a linear relationship, then the data plot should resemble a straight line.
If its quadratic it should decrease then increase, or increase or decrease. One example of this is creating a data plot of the height of a ball thrown in the air vs time.