Logarithmic dB scaling makes measurement errors have modest effects on conclusions

Evidence

Here, we are on the shakiest ground. Clearly, it is Impossible for us to know precisely what the sail was doing that day. It is unlikely that it was a perfect shape for concentrating the sound. But decibels are a logarithmic measure, and significant errors of estimation end up as modest changes to the outcome. — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 246

Categorization

• DEFINE: Explains why decimal-based, logarithmic decibel measures are forgiving of estimation error — useful for interpreting acoustics numbers.