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pl_terranine
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is anyone able to recommend a book or a site for a high school senior that explains how logarithmic tables are made and its connection to ln/e.
From a modern prospective we want logs to have this propertypl_terranine said:is anyone able to recommend a book or a site for a high school senior that explains how logarithmic tables are made and its connection to ln/e.
e: The Story of a Number by Eli Maor. I read it last year and it covers exactly the information you are looking for.pl_terranine said:is anyone able to recommend a book or a site for a high school senior that explains how logarithmic tables are made and its connection to ln/e.
The concept of logarithms was first introduced by Scottish mathematician John Napier in the early 17th century. He developed the idea as a way to simplify complex calculations in arithmetic and geometry. Later, in the 18th century, Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler expanded on Napier's work and created the logarithm functions that are still used today.
In addition to John Napier and Leonhard Euler, other important figures in the development of logarithms include English mathematicians Henry Briggs and William Oughtred. Briggs collaborated with Napier to publish the first table of logarithms, and Oughtred is credited with introducing the concept of logarithms to the English-speaking world.
Before the invention of calculators and computers, logarithms were essential for simplifying complex calculations. They were used in areas such as astronomy, navigation, and engineering. Logarithms also played a key role in the development of calculus, making it easier to solve equations involving exponential functions.
The basic principles of logarithms have remained the same since their introduction. However, with the advancement of technology, logarithms are no longer used as extensively as they were in the past. Calculators and computers now perform the calculations that logarithms were originally used for. Additionally, logarithms have been expanded to include other types of logarithmic functions, such as natural logarithms.
While logarithms may not be used as frequently as they were in the past, they still have important applications in fields such as finance, physics, and statistics. They are also a fundamental concept in mathematics and are still taught in schools as part of the curriculum. Additionally, logarithms are used in computer science and coding for tasks such as data compression and encryption.