Question 1061937
The difference is that log -m+2=4 does not mean anything, but that log(-m+2)=4 ALMOST means something.  You need to already know, or be able to indicate, the base for the logarithm.


Letting b be the base then the second thing you wrote should look like {{{log(b,(-m+2))=4}}}.  This now means something.  Logarithm of  {{{-m+2}}} is 4; or arranged in exponential form,  knowing the still variable base of b,  {{{b^4=-m+2}}}.