logarithm
Power extraction function
A logarithm is the power to which a base number must be raised to produce a given number.
If 10² = 100, then the logarithm of 100 (base 10) is 2.
Logarithms convert multiplication into addition, which made them essential for complex calculations before electronic computers.
Common logarithms use base 10; natural logarithms use the mathematical constant e.
Sectioned tree trunk
- lnLogarithm base e
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- mantissaLogarithm's fractional component
- characteristicDistinguishing quality or trait
common · natural · binary · exponentiation · inverse · function · algorithm · computation
Tenth of a bel
- RichterSeismological scale eponym
- pHMeasure of solution acidity
- order of magnitudeApproximate size class
- powers of tenSuccessive multiples of ten
scientific notation · dynamic range · compression · loudness · brightness · frequency response · octave · musical interval
Quantity multiplying proportionally over time
- doubling timeTime to grow twofold
- populationAll inhabitants combined
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- compound interestReturns on reinvested earnings
viral spread · Moore's law · proliferation · geometric progression · exponential curve · growth rate · carrying capacity · doubling
Period for fifty-percent reduction
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
- carbon-14Radioactive isotope for dating
- exponential decayProportional decrease over time
- uraniumElement ninety-two
isotope · radiometric dating · disintegration · attenuation · damping · depreciation
Mathematics of encoding signals
- entropyQuantified chaos in systems
- bitSmall amount or portion
- ShannonIrish river or name
- complexityState of being complicated
acoustics · seismology · signal processing · data compression · machine learning · neural networks · finance
log
Sectioned tree trunk
characteristic · common · natural · binary · exponentiation · inverse · function · algorithm · computation · slide rule
decibel
Tenth of a bel
- RichterSeismological scale eponym
- pHMeasure of solution acidity
- order of magnitudeApproximate size class
powers of ten · scientific notation · dynamic range · compression · loudness · brightness · frequency response · octave · musical interval · perception
exponential growth
Quantity multiplying proportionally over time
- doubling timeTime to grow twofold
- populationAll inhabitants combined
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
compound interest · viral spread · Moore's law · proliferation · geometric progression · exponential curve · growth rate · carrying capacity · doubling · multiplication
half-life
Period for fifty-percent reduction
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
- carbon-14Radioactive isotope for dating
- exponential decayProportional decrease over time
uranium · isotope · radiometric dating · disintegration · attenuation · damping · depreciation
information theory
Mathematics of encoding signals
complexity · acoustics · seismology · signal processing · data compression · machine learning · neural networks · finance
- Formulaschemical formula, quadratic formula, empirical formula, area formula, volume formula
- smooth functionssine, cosine, tangent, polynomial, exponential
- math conceptsangle, numbers, algebra, circle, equations
- math termsnumbers, plus or minus, linear growth, square, operand
- Technical termsalgorithm, bandwidth, calibration, coefficient, combustion
- math notationequation, formula, expression, variable, coefficient
logarithmexponential growth
Quantity multiplying proportionally over time
exponential function · exponential · geometric growth · exponential curve · power law
- common logarithmLogarithm using base ten
- logarithmic scaleMeasurement showing multiplicative change
- logarithmic spiralCurve maintaining constant tangent angle
- natural logarithmInverse of e-to-the-x
- logarithmic tablesPrecomputed exponent reference sheets
common logarithm, logarithmic, logarithms, logarithmically, antilogarithm, antilogarithms, logarithmic scale, natural logarithm