Cross-entropy increases as the correct probability decreases. The monotonic direction is a named guide, while the perfect-probability anchor remains exact.
highlighted = computed this step
Lower probability, larger named loss
Cross-entropy gets larger as the correct probability gets smaller. The table shows the exact anchor at probability 1 and named losses at probabilities 1/2 and 1/4.
pk↓⇒−log(pk)↑named guide
Not a decimal curve
The monotonic row is a guide, not a pinned smooth curve. The only numeric loss shown is 0 at probability 1. The remaining losses are named log symbols.
−log(1)=0
Summary
The direction of change is useful, but it is not a table of computed log decimals. Exact-or-named still has no third category.