為何有這些律
對數的每一條律都是指數律換了頂帽子。回想指數積律:b^m · b^n = b^(m+n)——同底冪相乘,指數*相加*。既然對數*就是*指數,這便告訴我們:積的對數應等於各對數之*和*。一邊的乘法變成另一邊的加法。這種交換——把難運算變成易運算——正是對數被發明的全部緣由。
Proof of the product law (it's just exponents): Let M = b^x so log_b(M) = x Let N = b^y so log_b(N) = y Then M·N = b^x · b^y = b^(x+y) <- exponent product rule So log_b(M·N) = x + y = log_b(M) + log_b(N). That's the whole story: multiply inside, add the logs outside.
三條律
- [[product-law-of-logarithms|積律]]: log_b(M·N) = log_b M + log_b N。積的對數拆成對數之和。(指數積律的鏡像。)
- [[quotient-law-of-logarithms|商律]]: log_b(M/N) = log_b M − log_b N。商的對數拆成對數之差。(指數商律的鏡像。)
- [[power-law-of-logarithms|冪律]]: log_b(M^p) = p · log_b M。對數內的冪可移到前面作乘數。(指數冪律的鏡像。)這一條是解方程式的主力。
Using the laws to expand and simplify: Expand log( x^3 · y / z ) = log(x^3) + log(y) - log(z) (product & quotient) = 3·log(x) + log(y) - log(z) (power law on x^3) Condense 2·ln(a) - ln(b) = ln(a^2) - ln(b) (power law) = ln( a^2 / b ) (quotient law) Note what is NOT allowed: log(M + N) does NOT equal log M + log N. The laws only touch products, quotients, powers.
換底
你的計算機只有兩個對數鍵:log(底 10)與 ln(底 e)。那麼如何求 log₂ 50?換底公式用你擁有的底重寫任意底的對數:log_b(x) = log_c(x) / log_c(b),其中 c 是任何方便的底——通常是 10 或 e。任選其一,答案相同。
Evaluate log_2(50) using base-10 logs:
log_2(50) = log(50) / log(2)
= 1.69897 / 0.30103
= 5.6439...
Check: 2^5.6439 ≈ 50. Good.
With natural logs you'd get the same:
log_2(50) = ln(50) / ln(2)
= 3.91202 / 0.69315
= 5.6439...