Can you explain what a logarithm is?

We can think of taking the logarithm base a of a number b (logab) as "the number of times we need to multiply a by itself to get b". So for example, log2 16 = 4, since we need to multiply 2 by itself 4 times to get 16 (2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 16, or 24 = 16).In more detail, logarithms are the inverse operations to exponentiation. This means that if you are given a number x and told to raise y to the power of x to get z, then logy z = x. i.e. if we have the operation "raise y to the power of ___", then performing the operation "take the logarithm base y" gives us back our original input ____. So if yx = z, then performing the inverse operation to both sides gives us back x: logy yx = logy z ==> x = logy z

Answered by Daniel H. Maths tutor

2559 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I multiply 2 matrices?


Using partial fractions find the integral of (15-17x)/((2+x) (1-3x)^2 )


Solve the inequality |x - 2sqrt(2)| > |x - 4sqrt(2)|.


The height (h) of water flowing out of a tank decreases at a rate proportional to the square root of the height of water still in the tank. If h=9 at t=0 and h=4 at t=5, what is the water’s height at t=15? What is the physical interpretation of this?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences