When changing the base of a logarithm, from
logb(a) = log(a)/log(b)
Is it possible for the bases of the new logarithms to be any number? or only base 10?
When changing the base of a logarithm, from
logb(a) = log(a)/log(b)
Is it possible for the bases of the new logarithms to be any number? or only base 10?
You can use any number:
Change of Base Formula
The change of base formula for logarithms is:
\(\begin{array}{|rcll|} \hline \log_a{(x)} &=& \dfrac{ \log_b{(x)} } { \log_b{(a)} } \\ \hline \end{array}\)
Example:
\(\begin{array}{|rcll|} \hline \log_4{(16)} &=& \log_4{(4^2)} \\ &=& 2 \\\\ \log_4{(16)} &=& \frac{ \log_2{(16)} }{ \log_2{(4)} } \\ &=& \frac{ \log_2{(2^4)} }{ \log_2{(2^2)} } \\ &=& \frac{ 4\cdot \log_2{(2)} }{ 2\cdot \log_2{(2)} } \\ &=& \frac{ 4 }{ 2 } \\ &=& 2 \quad \checkmark \\ \hline \end{array} \)