eli5: What exactly is a logarithm?
In: Mathematics
It is just another function: log(x)
It takes an ‘x’ and it gives you a ‘y’
log(x) = y
It is defined as the inverse of the exponential function (some examples: 2^x, 77^x , e^x ).
What is an inverse function? It is easier to understand with examples:
Let’s say: 2^x = y
if x=3 then y = 2^3 = 8
Its inverse: log_2 (x) = y
does the opposite
if x = 8 then y = 3
——- Another example —–
if x = 5 then y = 2^5 = 32
Its inverse: log_2 (x) = y
does the opposite
if x = 32 then y = 5
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