The value is often expressed as its logarithm, log Kstab, making the numbers easier to handle. The larger the value of log Kstab, the more powerfully stabilising are the ligands of the transition metal ion. Since for a given transition metal ion, the different types of ligands always displace water molecule ligands in the equilibrium reaction, the numerical values can be used to decide upon the order in which the ligands are stabilising of a particular transition metal ion. The higher the value of the stability constant, the more stable the complex.