document.write( "Question 283766: How can you explain what the calculator displays when the LOG key is used, without using the words \"log\" or \"logarithm\"? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #205972 by jsmallt9(3758) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Logarithms are exponents.
In general, represents the exponent for \"a\" that results in \"b\". For example:
- $\"log%284%2C+%2873%29%29\"$ represents the exponent for 4 that results in 73 (which is an impossibly long decimal).
- $\"log%284%2C+%2864%29%29\"$ represents the exponent for 4 that results in 64 (which is 3).
- $\"ln%2873%29\"$ represents the exponent for e that results in 73 (which is also a long decimal).
The \"log\" button on your calculator is for base 10 logarithms. So the log button on your calculator will find exponents for 10. For example,
- $\"log%28%2873%29%29\"$ represents the exponent for 10 that results in 73 (another long decimal)
- $\"log%28%28100%29%29\"$ represents the exponent for 10 that results in 100 (which is 2)
- $\"log%28%281%2F1000%29%29\"$ represents the exponent for 10 that results in 1/1000 (which is -3)
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