ODD QUESTION: LOGS

[pka]

I have a grip!
With reference to this thread: http://www.freemathhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=55843&highlight=#55843.
Why would any one ask a learner to do this type of problem if basic types of logarithms have not been completely understood?
What is the point of this mindless question except to show how clever whoever constructed it thought he/she is?
Leonard Gillman, a past president of the MAA, has a calculus text that I think is the best. In it he uses log for the natural logarithm (others use ln but change in complex variables) and never even mentions logarithms of other bases.
What do others of you think of these types questions?

 

[stapel]

Different areas of study require different logs, so I don't mind the need to cover different log bases. But I do question the wisdom of passing students on to calculus without ever having covered the natural logarithm, as seems to be the case in the referenced thread.

I mean, I'm all for "concepts instead of rote memorization", but -- geez! -- there's some stuff they just need to know!

Eliz.