Small confusion regarding logarithmic formula

22990atinesh
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I've a small confusion about formula
##\log^3 n = \log \log \log n##
or ##\log^3 n = (\log n)^3 ##
 
on Phys.org
22990atinesh said:
or ##\log^3 n = (\log n)^3 ##
That's the one you want.
 
In exactly the same way, cos2(x) does not mean cos(cos(x)), but rather it means cos(x) * cos(x) = (cos(x))2. The exponent indicates repeated multiplication, not repeated function composition.
 
It is not uncommon to put a an exponent in parentheses to indicate a repeated composition.
That is, [itex](log(x))^{(3)}[/itex] or [itex]log^{(3)}(x)[/itex] is "log(log(log(x)))".

Unfortunately, that is also often used to indicate the third derivative so you must be careful to state which!
 
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HallsofIvy said:
It is not uncommon to put a an exponent in parentheses to indicate a repeated composition.
That is, [itex](log(x))^{(3)}[/itex] or [itex]log^{(3)}(x)[/itex] is "log(log(log(x)))".

Unfortunately, that is also often used to indicate the third derivative so you must be careful to state which!
Mark44 said:
In exactly the same way, cos2(x) does not mean cos(cos(x)), but rather it means cos(x) * cos(x) = (cos(x))2. The exponent indicates repeated multiplication, not repeated function composition.

You mean ##\log^{(3)} n = (\log n)^{(3)} = \log (\log(\log n))##
##\log^3 n = (\log n)^3##
 
22990atinesh said:
You mean ##\log^{(3)} n = (\log n)^{(3)} = \log (\log(\log n))##
The above is what HallsOfIvy said. I haven't seen it, myself, but I have seen f(3), with parentheses around the exponent, to indicate the third derivative.
22990atinesh said:
##\log^3 n = (\log n)^3##
This is what I said.
 
Mark44 said:
The above is what HallsOfIvy said. I haven't seen it, myself, but I have seen f(3), with parentheses around the exponent, to indicate the third derivative.

This is what I said.
I know, I was just rechecking from you. :)
 

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