# Plot3D with a log scale only along the y-axis

I would like to ask how to make a 3D plot (maybe using Plot3D) with a logarithmic scale along the y-axis?

For example: I have a function, $f(x) = 2(1 + a\,x^4)/x^2$, where $x$ varies from 0 to 20 while $a$ varies from 0 to $10^{-3}$. I am interested in making a 3D plot of $f(x)$ in a low range of $a$ such as from 0 to $10^{-7}$ or 0 to $10^{-5}$. Therefore, I think it might be better to scale the y-axis logarithmically.

Any suggestion would be highly appreciated.

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What code have you tried so far? –  Mike Honeychurch Oct 21 '13 at 3:51
Why not just do Log@ on your function? –  rm -rf Oct 21 '13 at 3:56
LogPlot will give you a logarithmic $y$-axis. –  Stephen Luttrell Oct 21 '13 at 13:19

I don't see why this question should get negative ratings! It is a perfectly reasonable question and it takes a bit of exploration to obtain a graphical representation that illustrates the various features. We do have a problem of seeing the behavior at both small x and small a and it doesn't hurt to plot the log of the function. So define a new plotting function:

logf[logx_, loga_] := Log10[2 (1 + 10^loga 10^logx^4)/10^logx^2]


Then plotting with an ordinary scale we obtain:

It looks like a sheet folded along a line. I wonder what the equation of that line is?

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David, would you also include the code to produce the plot? Might be useful. –  Yves Klett Oct 21 '13 at 16:26