Log short for logarithm is common among students. Although some hadn't yet used and some are using it without its clear knowledge , still all had heard about log in one way or another.
The problem with me regarding logs is with everyone, i think. I went well with using logs but I wasn't sure about its existence . You can say that I wanted to know the reason behind the existence of logs. As trigonometric terms are used to find the angles in the triangle by knowing the sides, similarly I wanted to know what does the logs do ??
Something happened with me which pushed me into this topic.
I was sitting in my classroom, idle. I wasn't having any book to read so I borrowed a book from one of my friends. It was SUMITA ARORA'S COMPUTER SCIENCE FOR +1 .
I started with the fundamentals - evolution of computers. As I was turning off the pages, a heading stopped me. It was NAPIER'S LOGS AND BONES. I was sure , it must be having some link with logs in mathematics . So I read it and yes, it was. I was glad and was shocked that you never know what you are going to get from where.
so I searched it more and following are some points which I think you need to know so as to deal with the logs with more interest and easily.
- These were made to convert multiplication into addition . ( as addition is obviously easier than multiplication ) when you will put the logarithmic values , your answer will be almost that which you will get after multiplying
- The conversion idea was given by john napier in 1614.
- These were invented due to the absence of calculators, although we have it now, still logs are very useful.
- Uses of logs :
In chemistry, pH (a very basic concept) is defined in terms of logarithms.
In physics, they are used for calculations involving radioactive decay.
In biology, they are used for modeling population growth.
To estimate the data in logs obtained from magnitude scales for earthquakes.
Geologists also make use of logarithms to find the Gutenberg-Richter relation.
Finally, geologists prefer applications of logarithms in radioactive decay-dating estimation, sedimentology, and to determine grain sizes.
So whichever subjects you opt, you need to know about logs.
- The well defined definition of logarithm upon which its uses are mostly based is
" The logarithm of a number is the exponent by which another fixed value, the base, must be raised to produce that number" as given by Wikipedia.
to be continued ... till then, try to find out the meaning of its definition. You will get to know its uses or you can say applications in next article .... soon !!
for any type of query, comments are always there.
other sources :
http://www.mathworksheetscenter.com/mathtips/logarithms.html
http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/66629.html
