What is a logarithm?

Logarithms are an alternative method of writing exponents.

In exponents, we know that, 2⁴ = 16.

However, if we are asked to determine what number replaces the ‘n’ in 2ⁿ = 16, then, through an iterative process, we can find the answer.

i.e., 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 = 16

In order to get 16 we have to multiply 2 four times.

A logarithm is the number of times a number multiplies with itself to produce another.

The logarithm is 4.

How to write logarithm?

We write exponents as, 2⁴ = 16. Both of them are the same.

log₂ (16 ) = 4

We read log₂ (16) = 4 as,

logarithm of 16 base 2 is 4

Base 2 of log 16 is 4