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Using Logarithmic Tables Effectively

The document provides instructions on using logarithmic tables for practical calculations, detailing essential logarithmic formulas. It explains how to find the logarithm and antilogarithm of numbers, emphasizing the distinction between the characteristic and mantissa. Examples illustrate the process of determining logarithms and antilogarithms using the tables.

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Sarvagya Dwivedi
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12 views1 page

Using Logarithmic Tables Effectively

The document provides instructions on using logarithmic tables for practical calculations, detailing essential logarithmic formulas. It explains how to find the logarithm and antilogarithm of numbers, emphasizing the distinction between the characteristic and mantissa. Examples illustrate the process of determining logarithms and antilogarithms using the tables.

Uploaded by

Sarvagya Dwivedi
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

HOW TO USE LOGARITHMICTABLES

Dractical clculations need to be done by using Logarithmic tables. In order to do so, here are some
important formulae:

log (m' = nlog (m)


log (m xn) = log (m) + log (n)
log (m/n) = log (m) - log (n)

Allcalculations can be divided into two separate exercises and a thorough understanding of the two
narts willfacilitate calculations with log tables. The parts are:

la) To find the Logarithm of a number


(b) To find the Antilogarithm of a number

lal The logarithm of any number contains two parts. One before the decimal is called Characteristic and
nther -the decimal term is called the Mantissa. It is only the mantissa which we get to know from the
Iogarithmic table. The characteristic is found by the rule that it is always less by 1 from the number
of digits before the decimal of any number. Thus in 980, the number of digits are 3 and hence the
characteristic is 2. In 0.486, the number of digits before decimal is Oand hence the characteristic is
-1written as T. Asyou see the characteristic can be negative in certain cases but the mantissa always
remains positive.

Tofind the logarithms of 3.14- the most commonfactor in the calculation,its characteristic is [Link]
for the mantissa -Put your finger on the first column of the logarithm table at 31 and then note the
number in the fifth column of the row of 31. Why are we looking at the fifth column? Because that is
the one with the digit 4 on top. Therefore log 3.14 = 0.4969

lb) Antilogarithm is the inverse of logarithm i.e. we are now to find the number whose logarithm is given.
for the decimal part, the procedure is exactly as for the mantissa but by using the Antilogarithm table.
Ihe digits before decimal tell us about the position of decimal in the number. In this case, number of
ijits before the decimal willbe more by 1than the digit of the characteristic. Therefore for the antilog
Tr U.4969, look under row 49, and the column with the digit 6 on top and add the mean difference
under the column 9. Place the decimal after 1 place. That gives you 3.14!

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