SOLUTION: How can you explain what the calculator displays when the LOG key is used, without using the words "log" or "logarithm"?

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Question 283766: How can you explain what the calculator displays when the LOG key is used, without using the words "log" or "logarithm"?
Answer by jsmallt9(3758) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
  • Logarithms are exponents.
  • In general, log%28a%2C+%28b%29%29 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)