What is the point of logarithms? How are they used? Logarithms are a convenient way to express large numbers (The base-10 logarithm of a number is roughly the number of digits in that number, for example ) Slide rules work because adding and subtracting logarithms is equivalent to multiplication and division (This benefit is slightly less important today ) Lots of things "decay logarithmically"
What algorithm is used by computers to calculate logarithms? I would like to know how logarithms are calculated by computers The GNU C library, for example, uses a call to the fyl2x() assembler instruction, which means that logarithms are calculated directl
What are the parts of a logarithm called? [duplicate] $\begingroup$ I had "the logarithm of a number is the index to which the base is raised to equal that number" drilled into me 60 years ago It's still helpful when I need a reminder what does what It's still helpful when I need a reminder what does what
How is $\\ln$ pronounced by English speakers? It is unfortunate that secondary-school algebra textbooks teach students that "log" with no subscript always means the base-$10$ logarithm Since the natural logarithm is indeed the natural logarithm to use in calculus, it is written as $\log$ with no subscript Some mathematicians write it as $\ln$ but still understand $\log$ written by others
Calculate logarithms by hand - Mathematics Stack Exchange I'm thinking of making a table of logarithms ranging from 100-999 with 5 significant digits By pen and paper that is I'm doing this old school What first came to mind was to use $\\log(ab) = \\lo
What is the reason to introduce and study logarithmic functions? That's why logarithms were originally investigated Nowadays we don't need to resort to tricks like that just to do multiplication But once they had a name, they started showing up in all kinds of places This is why we teach students about logarithms today For example, in order to integrate $\frac 1 x$ in calculus, you "need the logarithm"
When do we use common logarithms and when do we use natural logarithms Currently, in my math class, we are learning about logarithms I understand that the common logarithm has a base of 10 and the natural has a base of e But, when do we use them? For example the equation $7^{x-2} = 30$ in the lesson, you solve by rewriting the equation in logarithmic form $\log_7 30 = x-2$ The,n apply the change of base formula
Why are logarithms not defined for 0 and negatives? I can raise $0$ to the power of one, and I would get $0$ Also $-1$ to the power of $3$ would give me $-1$ I think only some logarithms (e g log to the base $10$) aren't defined for $0$ and negat