What's a learning curve and why is steep not hard?

Question

• What exactly is a learning curve?
• And why is it wrong to use the term \"steep learning curve\" for something which has high entry barriers and takes quite som

Answer 1

It's a curve of time versus proficiency.

Steep for hard is wrong because it'd mean that you get very proficient in very little time

proficiency
  |   __
  |  |
  |  |    Proficient in little time (steep = easy)
  |  |
  |_/____________
       time

proficiency
  |
  |       Proficient in lots of time (gentle = hard)
  |            __             
  |           /
  |__________/___
       time