Logarithms, Explained - Steve Kelly

What are logarithms and why are they useful? Get the basics on these critical mathematical functions -- and discover why smart use of logarithms can determine whether your eyes turn red at the swimming pool this summer.

Lesson by Steve Kelly, animation by TED-Ed.

[goldenduck]

He sounds like the teacher that discusses enthusiastically but then gives a quiz right after the lesson. It made me nervous watching this.

[crimsonfox]

An episode a day keeps the bad grades away

[simranmalhotra]

Thank you TED-Ed... My teachers at school never explained what log actually meant... they just started with its application in differentiation...
Thank you So much!! I wish teachers would start explaining the same way!

[myagrimm]

Wow, I studied logarithms last semester. Yesterday in chemistry a logarithm came up in an equation and I was easily able to figure out what I had to do by using my calculator, but I realized, I don't know how logs really work. When I did them in class, I just remembered how to use them, not WHY. So I looked it up today, and this short video helped me so much! I feel like I have a better understanding than when I was actually doing logs in class. I was missing that fundamental information of why they actually work

[divyjain]

Honestly this one feels like a necessity of every upcoming batch and they made it 10 years ago and now i can guess how many students were helped out of this thanks to steve and the TED ED team

[KevDoesEverything]

Tbh I watched this because my teacher told me to skip a logarithm question on a practice sheet because we "don't know the material" so I'm tryna stay ahead of the game here

[mohammed.a]

Man this has to be the best and simple explanation of Logarithms which can be easily understood by even a primary school kid and PhD student!!!😃

[TEDEd]

Great idea! Do you have a recommendation on someone who could create the lesson? Feel free to nominate someone on the TED-Ed website (ed.ted.com) under the "Get Involved" section. Thanks!

[kimll]

I wish I had Ted Ed when I was in school. Makes learning so much more fun.

[scoutgaming]

So basicaly a square root, but you're finding the power instead of the base

[lexinaut]

Love the comic touch and vivid examples of real world uses. Logarithms have been called Napier's Rapier, since he invented them back in Elizabethan times to cut through difficult calculations precisely and quickly. This video makes you a true exponent of Napier.

[arinjaytayde]

This is 11 years old video but still the animations and quality are up to date hats off

[CresentX]

Wow TED-Ed, never quite understood the traditional expiation of log base 10 until now. Well done!

[salthesadmanshark]

This was the most wholesome ted ed video i'ven ever seen, and i have seen quite a lot of them.

[dannyu.]

Man, you are a legend. I read a book, listened to teachers and stuff, but this 3:33 long video explained what hours of learning couldn't. You are a LEGEND!

[lravikiran]

did he say log can be used as eye drops

[dienvidbriedis]

- Timmy, what number is under cup now?
- 10?
- no, it is an orange.
(laughter and applause from audience)

[DarkAsgaro]

Same here! I knew the formula, but somehow before this video I didnt really realize what it really means and why someone would use it.
But by this video, I know it just shows how much you have to multiply a certain number (=the base) by itself, to get a particular other number!

[longlivelemmy]

Sometimes i ask myself: Why do we go to School? I mean watching a two minutes Videos about a Topic is way more effective than sitting in class and listening ti the boring teacher....

[rric]

Good Explanation.. My teachers did not teach these basics and would just ask us to reference the Log Tables (calculators where not available).. Honestly, I am still confused a bit.. If additional examples could be included with actual calculations, it would be helpful. (specially, Log base 3). Is there similar examples for Calculus.. I know that these are important, but my basics is bad in these..