How to calculate logarithms and inverse logarithms in Excel
Logarithms and inverse logarithms are mathematical functions that are used in many different fields, including mathematics, engineering, and finance. In this article, we will teach you how to calculate logarithms and inverse logarithms in Excel.
We will start by explaining what logarithms are and how they work. Then, we will show you how to use the LOG, LOG10, and LN functions in Excel to calculate logarithms and inverse logarithms. Finally, we will provide you with some examples of how to use these functions in real-world applications.
By the end of this article, you will be able to calculate logarithms and inverse logarithms in Excel with ease. So what are you waiting for? Read on to learn more!
What is a logarithm?
Logarithms are mathematical functions that help us to understand the relationship between two numbers. The easiest way to understand logarithms is to understand this mathematical formula:
Loga b=c ac=b
For example
Log2 3 = 8 because 23=8
In this example, the base is 2, the exponent is 3, and the value is 8. This means that 2 raised to the power of 3 is equal to 8.
Logarithms are used in many different fields, including mathematics, engineering, and finance. They are also used in computer science and statistics.
If you are interested in learning more about logarithms, I encourage you to read the rest of this article on the topic.
What is a common logarithm?
A common logarithm is a logarithm with a base of 10. This means that log10 x is the power to which 10 must be raised to equal x. You don’t need to write 10 as a base. Log10 x = log x
For example:
log 1 = 0
log 10 = 1
log 1000 = 3
What is a natural logarithm?
A natural logarithm is a logarithm with a base of e, which is a mathematical constant approximately equal to 2.718281828459. This means that ln x is the power to which e must be raised to equal x. For example, ln 100 = 4.605170185988092 because e raised to the power of 4.605170185988092 is equal to 100.
Microsoft Excel has built-in functions to calculate the logarithm of a number with a specified base, the logarithm with base 10, and the natural logarithm. To calculate the inverse log of a number in the first two cases, raise the base to the power of the value returned by the particular logarithm function being used. Use the EXP function to find the inverse natural log.
How to calculate a logarithm and inverse of a logarithm?
To calculate the logarithm of a number in Excel, use the LOG function.
The syntax is =LOG(n,b), where n is the number and b is the base.
For example, =LOG(16,4) will return the value 2 because 4 raised to the power of 2 is equal to 16.
=LOG(16,4) – result is 2
=LOG(81,9) – result is 2
=LOG(125,5) = result is 3
=LOG(512,2) – result is 9
To calculate the inverse logarithm of a number, use the POWER function.
The syntax is =POWER(b,result), where b is the base and result is the value returned by the LOG function.
For example, =POWER(4,2) will return the value 16 because 4 raised to the power of 2 is equal to 16.
=POWER(4, 2) – equals 16
=POWER(9, 2) – equals 81
=POWER(5, 3) – equals 125
=POWER(2, 9) – equals 512
How to calculate a common logarithm and inverse of common logarithm?
To calculate the common logarithm of a number in Excel, use the LOG10 function.
The syntax is =LOG10(n), where n is the number.
For example, =LOG10(100) will return the value 2 because 10 raised to the power of 2 is equal to 100.
=LOG10(100) – result is 2
=LOG10(1) – result is 0
=LOG10(1000) = result is 3
=LOG10(0.0000001) – result is -7
To calculate the inverse of a common logarithm, use the POWER function.
The syntax is =POWER(10,result), where result is the value returned by the LOG10 function.
For example, =POWER(10,2) will return the value 100 because 10 raised to the power of 2 is equal to 100.
=POWER(10, 2) – equals 100
=POWER(10, 0) – equals 1
=POWER(10, 3) – equals 10
=POWER(10, -7) – equals 0.0000001
How to calculate a natural logarithm and inverse of natural logarithm?
To calculate the natural logarithm of a number in Excel, use the LN function.
The syntax is =LN(n), where n is the number.
For example, =LN(10) will return the value 2.30258509 because e raised to the power of 2.30258509 is equal to 10.
=LN(1) – result is 0
=LN(2.718281828) – result is 1
=LN(10) = result is 2.30258509
=LN(100) – result is 4.60517019
To calculate the inverse of a natural logarithm, use the EXP function.
The syntax is =EXP(n), where n is the value returned by the LN function.
For example, =EXP(2.30258509) will return the value 10 because e raised to the power of 2.30258509 is equal to 10.
=EXP(0) – equals 1
=EXP(1) – equals 2.718281828
=EXP(2.30258509) – equals 10
=EXP(4.60517019) – equals 100
How to get rid of ln?
To get rid of the LN function in Excel, you can use the EXP function, which is the inverse of the natural logarithm function.
The EXP function takes a number as its argument and returns the value of e raised to that power.
Here’s an example:
Let’s say you have a cell with the formula “=LN(10)” and you want to get rid of the “LN” function.
- Click on the cell containing the formula.
- Type “=” to start a new formula.
- Type “EXP(” to start the “exp” function.
- Highlight the cell containing the “LN” function (in this case, it’s the cell with the formula “=LN(10)”).
- Type “)” to close the “exp” function.
Your new formula should look like this: “=EXP(A1)” (assuming the cell containing the “LN” function is A1).
Press enter and the formula will calculate the result of the “exp” function, which is the inverse of the natural logarithm function. In this example, the result would be “22026.47”, which is the value of e^ln(10).
Key Takeaways
- Logarithms are mathematical functions that help us to understand the relationship between two numbers.
- There are two main types of logarithms: common logarithms and natural logarithms.
- The common logarithm is the logarithm with a base of 10.
- The natural logarithm is the logarithm with a base of e.
- Logarithms can be used to solve equations, find the roots of polynomials, and calculate definite integrals.
- Logarithms are also used in engineering, science, and finance.
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