I need some help understanding how logarithms work. I just can’t wrap my head around the concept, and I can only find videos online explaining how to rearrange a log equation. I’m looking for an explanation as to how it works, and perhaps the theory behind it.
I’ve also heard that log is easier to use for more complex calculations. How does rounding work with log? What is a natural log? What is e?
In: 3
Addition and subtraction.
Multiplication and division.
Powers and logarithms.
So 10^2 = 100. log(100) = 2.
Grab a calculator: 10^2.5 = 316.228. log(316.228) = 2.5.
e is an irrational number, like pi. pi = 3.14159… e = 2.718… Just like pi, e has [some significance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_(mathematical_constant)) in mathematics, so you’ll see it used here and there.
In any case, “log” specifically assumes that you’re talking about powers of 10, and “ln” (natural log) specifically assumes that you’re talking about powers of e. For powers of other numbers, you have to write the base in, like powers of 2 you write log2(x). So log2(8) = 3, because 2^3 = 8.
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