Why do we take log of a value?

There are two main reasons to use logarithmic scales in charts and graphs. The first is to respond to skewness towards large values; i.e., cases in which one or a few points are much larger than the bulk of the data. The second is to show percent change or multiplicative factors.

What is log and why we use log?

log: (in math) An abbreviation for logarithm. logarithm: The power (or exponent) to which one base number must be raised — multiplied by itself — to produce another number. For instance, in the base 10 system, 10 must be multiplied by 10 to produce 100. So the logarithm of 100, in a base 10 system, is 2.

What happens when we take log of a value?

If exponents are short hand for multiplication, and log is the inverse of exponentiation, the taking the log of something is a form of division. Take the simplest function form y = C. Let C be 100,000 so we have y=100,000.

What does it mean to take the log of something?

A logarithm is the power to which a number must be raised in order to get some other number (see Section 3 of this Math Review for more about exponents). For example, the base ten logarithm of 100 is 2, because ten raised to the power of two is 100: log 100 = 2.

What is a log in maths?

logarithm, the exponent or power to which a base must be raised to yield a given number. For example, 23 = 8; therefore, 3 is the logarithm of 8 to base 2, or 3 = log2 8. In the same fashion, since 102 = 100, then 2 = log10 100.

What does log mean in mathematics?

Murray | View Edit History. logarithm, the exponent or power to which a base must be raised to yield a given number. Expressed mathematically, x is the logarithm of n to the base b if bx = n, in which case one writes x = logb n. For example, 23 = 8; therefore, 3 is the logarithm of 8 to base 2, or 3 = log2 8.

What is log in math easy?

A logarithm is the power to which a number must be raised in order to get some other number (see Section 3 of this Math Review for more about exponents). For example, the base ten logarithm of 100 is 2, because ten raised to the power of two is 100: log 100 = 2. because. 102 = 100.