[MOVED] Logarithms: using change-of-base formula to find

[misstina]

Most calculators have 2 different logs on them: log, which is based 10, and ln, which is based e. In computer science, digital computers are based on the binary numbering system which means that there are only 2 numbers available to the computer, 0 and 1. When a computer scientist needs a logarithm, he/she uses a log to the base 2. To find the log of a number to any base, we can use a conversion formula as shown here:

log a = log a over log b

Using this formula, find log 2 10000 . Round your answer to the hundredth's place.

In the formula there is a symbol between the first log and the a.

 

[soroban]

Re: Logarithms

Hello, misstina!

You have all the information you need.
. . Exactly where is your difficulty?

To find the log of a number to any base,
we can use the conversion formula: \(\displaystyle \L\:\log_b(a)\;=\;\frac{\log(a)}{\log(b)}\)

Using this formula, find: \(\displaystyle \:\log_2(10000)\)
Round your answer to the hundredths place.

Use the formula . . . What's stopping you?

. . \(\displaystyle \log_2(10000)\;=\;\frac{\log(10000)}{\log(2)} \:=\:13.28771238\;\approx\;13.29\)

 

[misstina]

jeez, now that i am re-reading it, I feel so stupid. I tend to over analyze these math problems, and get completely lost.

thank you very much