I

logarithms

The number whose powers are used as base (logarithms). The most commonly used bases are 10, where if y = log(x), x = 10^y ; and e, the base of natural logarithm, often written ln, so that if y = ln(x) x = e^y. Logarithms to base 10 were originally popular: before the advent of electronic calculators they had to be looked up in numerical tables. Natural logarithms are nowadays more popular, since if y = ln(x), the rate of change of y over time equals the proportional growth rate of x, thus dy/dt = (dx/dt)/x. Most calculators now have keys for both logs to base 10 and natural logarithms (ln) to base e.

II See monetary base, and tax base

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