# What does “20/ln(2)” mean in logistic regression?

I am trying to understand Logistic Regression in relation to credit scoring model. I wish to understand the significance of "20/ln(2)" in logistic regression. Why and how is it used?

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Could you please give a www link how 20/ln(2) is applied? Thanks! –  GaBorgulya Apr 28 '11 at 12:04
Looks like a simple transformation (on a linear scale) bit.ly/klhGCr –  chl Apr 28 '11 at 12:49

This is a common scaling factor used for credit scoring models built with logistic regression.

The interpretation of the dependent variable in logistic regression is as log odds, but in credit scoring, we like to deal in points, thus a scaling factor is applied to the log odds to convert to the point system.

A widely used convention in credit scoring is the concept of "Points to Double the Odds" (often abbreviated PDO), and this is the source of the $\ln (2)$ in the question. For example, how many points does the score change if the odds increase from 100:1 to 200:1.

A common default value for PDO is 20, because it produces credit score ranges that people tend to like.

So, the interpretation of the $20/\ln(2)$ is that for a 20-point increase in score, the odds double.

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Typically in credit scoring one would choose a baseline score e.g. 600. We assign a certain meaning to 600 for example, 600 means the good bad odd is 30:1 (where bad typically means a default, the default definition is typically 90 days past payment due on the loan, however the bad definition can vary). Typically they also define that a 20 point jump means doubling of odds, for example 620 means the good bad odd if 60:1 and 640 is 120:1 etc. This definition comes from logistic regression.

If we fit a logistic regression model the model being fitted is this

$log(p/(1-p)) = a + b_1*d_1 + ... + b_n * d_n$

where $a$ and $b_i$ are parameter estimates and $p$ is the probability of good $d_i$ are your raw data (explanatory variables). The LHS is the log good bad odds. To conform to the above mentioned standard (i.e. 600 is 30:1 and 620 is 60:1) we scale the RHS using $c$ and $d$ found by solving these simultaneous equations

$600 = clog(30/1) + d = c + d*(a + b_1*d_1 + ... + b_n * d_n)$ $620 = clog(60/1) + d = c + d*(a + b_1*d_1 + ... + b_n * d_n)$

you will get $c = 20/log(2)$. Hence scaling the RHS by $c$ and $d$ will give you the scores you want. Hence we see that $20/log(2)$ is just to achieve the 20 points to double odds mantra.

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