Before revision: This is the rank-size distribution.Zipf's Law, or the Rank–Size Distribution Steven Brakman, Harry Garretsen, and Charles van Marrewijk Theoretical rationale One study claims that the rank-size rule "works" because it is a "shadow" or coincidental measure of the true phenomenon.The Urban Rank–Size Hierarchy James W. Fonseca The true value of rank-size is thus not an accurate mathematical measure (since other power-law formulas are more accurate, especially at ranks lower than 10) but rather as a handy measure or "rule of thumb" to spot power laws.
After revision: This is the rank-size distribution.Zipf's Law, or the Rank–Size Distribution Steven Brakman, Harry Garretsen, and Charles van Marrewijk One study claims that the rank-size rule "works" because it is a "shadow" or coincidental measure of the true phenomenon.The Urban Rank–Size Hierarchy James W. Fonseca The true value of rank-size is thus not an accurate mathematical measure (since other power-law formulas are more accurate, especially at ranks lower than 10) but rather as a handy measure or "rule of thumb" to spot power laws.