NOMOGRAM

Understanding Nomograms
A nomogram is a graphical calculating device: a two-dimensional diagram designed to allow the
approximate graphical computation of a function.
There are three (or more) scales (usually straight lines, but sometimes curved) arranged so that if
you know the values of two of the variables, placing a straightedge across those values on their
scales yields the corresponding value of the third variable on its scale.
Lets consider a nomogram with three related variables. As stated above, a nomogram is a chart
that would display the values of the three related variables in vertical columns. The columns are
arranged in such a way that when a ruler is placed across the values in any two columns, the
corresponding value in the third column can be read directly from the chart. A common
application is a display of heights, weights, and body-mass index. The body-mass index would
be the variable that is mathematically computed from height and weight. Here is a sample
nomogram:

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Example: Using the above nomogram, calculate Anthonys body mass index (BMI) based on
his weight of 170 pounds and height of 6 feet.
Solution:
Since the above nomogram chart shows height in either centimetres or inches, we must
first convert Anthonys height:
1 foot = 12 inches
6 feet = 72 inches

Therefore, Anthonys body mass index is approximately 23 lb /(in) 2 , which seems to be

in the acceptable region for males.
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It is important to note that since the nomogram is a graphical analog computation device, its
accuracy is limited by the precision with which physical markings can be drawn, and aligned.
Most nomograms are used in applications where an approximate answer is appropriate.
Otherwise, the nomogram may be used to check an answer obtained from an exact calculation
method.