I understand that log2 is useful for informatics, e.g. to determine how many bits I need to represent a given number. I understand that log10 is useful to determine the order of magnitude of numbers.

However, I’m having trouble understanding what makes ln interesting. It seems like it’s used a lot, but to me it just looks like a logarithm with a very weird base. What are the uses for this logarithm?

  • person594@feddit.deEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    So to be honest, 90% of the time the base of the logarithm doesn’t really matter as long as we are consistent. The main property we use logarithms for is that log_b(xy) = log_b(x) + log_b(y), and this holds for any base b. In fact, the change-of-base formula tells us that we can get from one base to another just by multiplying by a constant (log_a(x) = log_b(x) * 1/log_b(a)), and so there is a strong desire to pick one canonical “logarithm” function, and just take care of any base silliness by multiplying your final result by a scaling factor if needed.

    Given that, the natural logarithm is quite “natural” because it is the inverse of the exponential function, exp(x) = e^x. The exponential function itself is quite natural as it is the unique function f such that f(0) = 1 and f’(x) = f(x). Really, I would argue that the function exp(x) is the fundamentally important mathematical object – the natural logarithm is important because it is that function’s inverse, and the number e just happens to be the value of exp(1).

    • dieter_hermann@feddit.deOPEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      Your explanation makes a lot of sense to me! I didn’t know that exp'(x) = exp(x), but can see how this could be an interesting property and in turn makes ln interesting.

      You saying, that it often doesn’t matter which logarithm is used, made me check and realize that log_a(x)/log_a(y) is the same as log_b(x)/log_b(y). Thus I understand that it really doesn’t make a difference which logarithm is used when “comparing the magnitude” (not sure if this is the right term) of numbers.

      I feel like I have a much better understanding of ln now. I’ll assume that the base of an algorithm is often basically a random choice and base e is often used because of its “interesting trivia”.

      Thanks a lot!