Evaluating the Logarithm of 10

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 131 views

Understanding the Problem

The given problem involves evaluating the logarithm of a fraction, specifically $\log \frac{1}{10}$ . To solve this, we need to recall the properties of logarithms and how they relate to exponents.

Properties of Logarithms

A logarithm is the inverse operation of exponentiation. In other words, if $x = a^y$ , then $\log_a x = y$ . This means that the logarithm of a number is the exponent to which the base must be raised to produce that number.

Evaluating the Logarithm

To evaluate $\log \frac{1}{10}$ , we can use the property that $\log_a \frac{1}{b} = -\log_a b$ . This property allows us to rewrite the logarithm of a fraction as the negative logarithm of its reciprocal.

Applying the Property

Using the property mentioned above, we can rewrite $\log \frac{1}{10}$ as $-\log 10$ . This is because the reciprocal of $\frac{1}{10}$ is $10$ , and the negative sign is applied to the logarithm.

Evaluating the Logarithm of 10

The logarithm of 10 to the base 10 is a special value that is equal to 1. This is because $10^1 = 10$ , and the logarithm is the inverse operation of exponentiation.

Combining the Results

Now that we have evaluated the logarithm of 10, we can combine the results to find the value of $\log \frac{1}{10}$ . Since $-\log 10 = -1$ , we have $\log \frac{1}{10} = -1$ .

Conclusion

In conclusion, the value of $\log \frac{1}{10}$ is $-1$ . This can be written as a whole number, proper fraction, or improper fraction in simplest form.

Final Answer

$\boxed{-1}$

Additional Information

It's worth noting that the logarithm of a fraction can also be evaluated using the change of base formula. This formula allows us to rewrite the logarithm of a fraction in terms of logarithms with a different base. However, in this case, the property mentioned above provides a more straightforward solution.

Example

To illustrate the concept, let's consider an example. Suppose we want to evaluate $\log \frac{1}{100}$ . Using the property mentioned above, we can rewrite this as $-\log 100$ . Since $\log 100 = 2$ , we have $\log \frac{1}{100} = -2$ .

Real-World Applications

Logarithms have many real-world applications, including finance, science, and engineering. For example, logarithmic scales are often used to display large ranges of values, such as sound levels or earthquake magnitudes.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception about logarithms is that they are only used for solving equations. However, logarithms have many other applications, including data analysis and modeling.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the value of $\log \frac{1}{10}$ is $-1$ . This can be written as a whole number, proper fraction, or improper fraction in simplest form. Logarithms have many real-world applications, and understanding their properties is essential for solving problems in mathematics and other fields.

References

[1] "Logarithms" by Math Is Fun
[2] "Logarithmic Scales" by Science Daily
[3] "Logarithms in Real-World Applications" by Wolfram MathWorld

Keywords

Logarithm
Fraction
Exponent
Inverse operation
Change of base formula
Real-world applications
Data analysis
Modeling