SOLUTION: This is more of a theoretical question: When the logarithm is written as log(a)y = x. The "a" is called the base, but what is the x and y called? (Similarly, in y=a + bsin (x-c) +

Algebra ->  Exponential-and-logarithmic-functions -> SOLUTION: This is more of a theoretical question: When the logarithm is written as log(a)y = x. The "a" is called the base, but what is the x and y called? (Similarly, in y=a + bsin (x-c) +      Log On


   

Question 269857: This is more of a theoretical question:
When the logarithm is written as log(a)y = x. The "a" is called the base, but what is the x and y called? (Similarly, in y=a + bsin (x-c) + d, the "a" would be the amplitude, the "b" would be the period, ect).
Thank you very much!!
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The 'y' of log%28a%2C%28y%29%29 is the argument of the logarithm. An argument is simply an input to a function.


As for the 'x', I don't think there are any special names for it. However, you can rewrite log%28a%2C%28y%29%29=x as a%5Ex=y. So you can think of 'x' as the exponent, even though it's not really an exponent in log%28a%2C%28y%29%29=x.