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The Power-Law Learning Curve

Run the Power-Law Learning Curve Fullscreen Edit Using the p5.js Editor

About This MicroSim

This MicroSim plots the power-law equation T = a * N^(-b), showing two simultaneous curves: a raw-practice curve with a smaller exponent and a deliberate-practice curve with a larger exponent. A vertical marker line shows the compounded advantage of higher-quality practice at any chosen number of trials.

Controls:

  • Raw Exponent (b) -- 0.1 to 0.6, default 0.2
  • Deliberate Exponent (b) -- 0.1 to 0.6, default 0.4
  • Practice Hours -- 1 to 10,000; moves the vertical comparison line
  • Log-Log Axes -- on log-log axes, power-law curves become straight lines, visually confirming the form
  • Reset -- restores defaults

Learning Objective (Understand): Using the power-law curve, explain why the rate of improvement per additional hour depends more on the exponent than on the total hour count.