Table of Contents
How was the logarithm table made?
He started by taking 54 successive square roots of 10, working to 30 decimal places, until he found the number whose base-10 logarithm is 1/254. Together with all the intermediate results this enabled him to raise 10 to various other fractional powers and create a logarithm table.
What is the logarithmic table?
In mathematics, the logarithm table is used to find the value of the logarithmic function. The simplest way to find the value of the given logarithmic function is by using the log table.
Who is credited with creating the tables of logarithms?
John Napier
Early tables The method of logarithms was publicly propounded by John Napier in 1614, in a book entitled Mirifici Logarithmorum Canonis Descriptio (Description of the Wonderful Rule of Logarithms). The book contained fifty-seven pages of explanatory matter and ninety pages of tables related to natural logarithms.
Who are the 2 men accredited to inventing logarithms?
At least two scholars, the Scottish baron John Napier (1550-1617) and Swiss craftsman Joost Bürgi (1552-1632), produced independently systems that embodied the logarithmic relation and, within years of one another, produced tables for its use.
Why was the logarithm created?
Invented in the 17th century to speed up calculations, logarithms vastly reduced the time required for multiplying numbers with many digits.
How old was John Napier when he died?
67 years (1550–1617)
John Napier/Age at death
Is logarithm invented or discovered?
Logarithm/Inventors
Logarithms were invented in the 17th century as a calculation tool by Scottish mathematician John Napier (1550 to 1617), who coined the term from the Greek words for ratio (logos) and number (arithmos).
What is the logarithm table used for?
In mathematics, the logarithm table is used to find the value of the logarithmic function. The simplest way to find the value of the given logarithmic function is by using the log table.
How were the first logarithms calculated?
They were calculated using a variety of numerical algorithms that were available at the time. Logarithms, and log table, were first introduced by mathematician John Napier in 1614 (exactly 400 years ago).
What is the natural logarithmic function?
The log function to the base e is called the natural logarithmic function and it is denoted by log e. To find the logarithm of a number, we can use the logarithm table instead of using a mere calculation.
When was the first log table published?
In 1617 and later in 1624, mathematician Henry Briggs published his own log tables, in which he famously used Finite-difference methods to calculate the logarithms.