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dieter_hermann Jun 24, 2023

What is so special about the natural logarithm? What is it good for?

What is so special about the natural logarithm? What is it good for? - Feddit

I understand that log2 is useful for informatics, e.g. to determine how many bits I need to represent a given number. I understand that log10 is useful to determine the order of magnitude of numbers. However, I’m having trouble understanding what makes ln interesting. It seems like it’s used a lot, but to me it just looks like a logarithm with a very weird base. What are the uses for this logarithm?

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kiwifoxtrot

ln(x) and e^x are to simulate growth rates, which is why I assume it's called the natural log. ln(x) will give you the time it will take to grow your population to size x. e^x will give you the size of your population after x time assuming 100% growth rate. This works really well for bacteria as they divide into two to grow, 1 -> 2 -> 4 -> 8 etc.