logarithms of different bases



-----maxima-bounces at math.utexas.edu wrote: -----

>I am just starting in on logarithms in math and i noticed that maxima,
>if you write something like
>
>log(2)
>
>it takes it as base 10.  Is there a way to change the base?  And can I
>make it do e?  2.718 or \ln ?

In Maxima, log is the natural logarithm (logarithm base e).
If you want base 10 logs, load log10. Example:

  (%i8) load(log10)$

Natural log of the Euler number e (the Maxima name for the Euler number is
%e)

  (%i9) log(%e);
  (%o9) 1

Common log of 100:

  (%i10) log10(100);
  (%o10) 2

Welcome to Maxima. Hope this helps.

Barton