Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the abbreviation "ln" for natural logarithm, exploring its origins and the reasoning behind the notation. Participants delve into historical, linguistic, and cultural aspects of the term, with a focus on its usage in different languages and its attribution to specific individuals.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Historical
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions why the natural logarithm is abbreviated as "ln" instead of "nl".
- Another participant suggests that the placement of adjectives after nouns in various languages may indicate that the notation was not first published in English.
- Some participants mention that the abbreviation may derive from Latin, specifically from "logarithmus naturalis".
- A participant asserts that the notation "ln" is an American invention attributed to Irving Stringham, who first used it in 1893, though the exact meaning of "ln" remains unclear.
- Another participant corrects a typo regarding the date of Stringham's first use of "ln".
- A participant notes that in Portuguese, the term used is "Logaritmo natural", which also uses the abbreviation "ln".
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the origins and meaning of the abbreviation "ln", with no consensus reached regarding its definitive explanation. Some agree on the attribution to Stringham, while others speculate on its Latin roots and the implications of language structure.
Contextual Notes
Participants acknowledge the lack of definitive documentation explaining the abbreviation "ln", leading to various interpretations and assumptions about its origins.
