Question 423639
I'm guessing you mean
{{{log(2, (39))}}}
If so, then the 39 is <i>not</i> an exponent so you shouldn't use the exponent character, "^", when posting an expression like this. Use something like "base 2 log of 39", Or click on "Show source" just above this solution to see what I typed to get the log to display properly.<br>
There are an infinite number of possible bases for logarithms. Since we obviously can't have an infinite number of buttons for all these logarithms. So to use your calculator to find a logarithm like yours, you must use the change of base formula, {{{log(a, (p)) = log(b, (p))/log(b, (a))}}}, to change the base from 2 to one your calculator "knows". Most calculators have a button for base 10 logs, "log", and/or base e logs, "ln"<br>
So
{{{log(2, (39)) = log((39))/log((2))}}}
or
{{{log(2, (39)) = ln(39)/ln(2)}}}
Both of these work and both will give you the same answer.