Skip to content
Skip to main content

About this free course

Download this course

Share this free course

Using a scientific calculator
Using a scientific calculator

Start this free course now. Just create an account and sign in. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available.

11 Natural logarithms and powers of e on your calculator

Natural logarithms, for example , can be evaluated on your calculator using the key. The second function of this key  () permits the calculation of powers of . Note that an approximate value for itself can be obtained using the key sequence ().

Remember that means the same as ln. Some calculators have a key instead of .

Activity 20 Calculating natural logarithms and powers of e

Calculate the value of each of the following using your calculator, giving each answer to 3 significant figures.

Answer

  1. (to 3 significant figures).
  2. (to 3 significant figures).
  3. (to 3 significant figures).

    Notice that this is about three times the answer to part (2). In fact, the exact value of is precisely three times the exact value of . This is because , and for any base of logarithm, . This is an important result for logarithms. In this case we have .

  4. (to 3 significant figures).

    To calculate this answer correctly, you need to remember to close the bracket after the 3 on your calculator display.

  5. (to 3 significant figures).