4. Logarithms to Base 10
by M. Bourne
Logarithms to Base 10 were used extensively for calculation up until the calculator was adopted in the 1970s and 80s. The concept of logarithms is still very important in many fields of science and engineering. One example is acoustics.
Our calculators allow us to use logarithms to base `10`. These are called common logarithms ("`log`" on a calculator). We normally do not include the `10` when we write logarithms to base `10`.
We write
`log\ x` to mean `log_10 x`.
[This is the convention used on calculators, so most math text books follow along. Note, however, that "log" in computer programming generally means "log base e", which we learn about on the next page.]
Examples
1. Find the logarithm of `5 623` to base `10`. Write this in exponential form.
2. Find the antilogarithm of `-6.9788`.
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