Chapter 4: Problem 1
\(\log x\) is the exponent to which the base 10 must be raised to get _______. So we can complete the following table for \(\log x\). $$\begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|} \hline x & 10^{3} & 10^{2} & 10^{1} & 10^{0} & 10^{-1} & 10^{-2} & 10^{-3} & 10^{1 / 2} \\ \hline \log x & & & & & & & & \\ \hline \end{array}$$
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand the problem
Calculating \( \log 10^3 \)
Calculating \( \log 10^2 \)
Calculating \( \log 10^1 \)
Calculating \( \log 10^0 \)
Calculating \( \log 10^{-1} \)
Calculating \( \log 10^{-2} \)
Calculating \( \log 10^{-3} \)
Calculate \( \log 10^{1/2} \)
Fill in the table
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Exponents
- The expression \(a^n\) means the base \(a\) is multiplied \(n\) times.
- Exponents can be positive, like \(3\) in our earlier example, indicating multiplication.
- Negative exponents, such as \(10^{-1}\), indicate division, specifically dividing by the base raised to the positive opposite of the exponent. So \(10^{-1} = \frac{1}{10}\).
Understanding exponents is essential because it reveals the intricate relationship between numbers, especially in the context of powers of 10, critical for logarithms.
Exploring Base 10
- It's called 'base 10' because it uses ten as the base for exponential notations.
- Each step to the left in a number represents an increasing power of 10, like 100 (\(10^2\)), 1,000 (\(10^3\)), etc.
- Conversely, moving right represents negative powers, such as \(0.1\) (\(10^{-1}\)), \(0.01\) (\(10^{-2}\)).
The familiarity of base 10 is precisely why it's used universally—it's simple and efficient for quick counting and calculations.
Understanding Logarithmic Functions
- A log indicates the power to which a base number must be raised to achieve a certain value.
- In base 10 logarithms (common logarithms), \(\log_{10}\) simplifies to \(\log\), without writing the base explicitly.
- For example, \(\log(1000) = 3\) because 10 raised to the power of 3 equals 1000.
Using logarithmic functions simplifies processes involving multiplication and division, making them invaluable in sciences and engineering. The transformation from exponential to logarithmic forms is a tool that provides insightful clarity into the relationships between numbers.