Logarithm Project –Due Monday, January 5th: Extra Credit
You know the definition of logarithms in terms of exponential expressions, but did you know that their relationship with exponents wasn't even realized until years after their invention? Indeed, there was another reason that led mathematicians to develop the idea of a logarithm, and your task is to identify those mathematicians and the reasons behind their work.
There are many contexts in which logarithms are used today. Uses of Logarithms that were very common in the past have now been programmed into machines, so that we do not actually see the logarithms on the surface. One encounters many logarithms without even realizing it, because they do most of their work behind the scenes.
Your assignment consists of writing a report that contains three parts. Your final product should approximately 1 page andno more than 2 pages. A list of references must be included at the end of your project. Do NOT use/cite Wikipedia as a reference.
1. Research the history of the logarithm. Include in your final paper the following topics:
-Who were the mathematicians responsible for inventing logarithms?
-What reason led them to invent logarithms?
-Who were the mathematicians responsible for adapting logarithms into the system that we recognize today?
-Though not required, you may also write about any other historical topic relating to logarithms that you find interesting. (The discovery and uses of the natural base "e" is one such possibility.)
2. Find two applications of logarithms in real-life situations that you find interesting. For each of the applications, include: a description of the application (what is this used for?) and your reason for choosing the application
3. Finally, write a reflection about the experience you had working on this project.Be honest even if you didn’t like the assignment but be constructive! Consider some of the following in your reflection:
-Did you enjoy learning about some of the history of mathematics?
-Do you have a better knowledge of and appreciation for logarithms?
- What was the most interesting thing that you learned?
You may answer these questions and/or talk about anything else relating to your project experience.
Logarithm Project – Due Monday, January 5th: Extra Credit
You know the definition of logarithms in terms of exponential expressions, but did you know that their relationship with exponents wasn't even realized until years after their invention? Indeed, there was another reason that led mathematicians to develop the idea of a logarithm, and your task is to identify those mathematicians and the reasons behind their work.
There are many contexts in which logarithms are used today. Uses of Logarithms that were very common in the past have now been programmed into machines, so that we do not actually see the logarithms on the surface. One encounters many logarithms without even realizing it, because they do most of their work behind the scenes.
Your assignment consists of writing a report that contains three parts. Your final product should approximately 1 page and no more than 2 pages. For your research, you may use the links to the websites that have been provided as well as any books or other outside sources. A list of references must be included at the end of your project. Do NOT use/cite Wikipedia as a reference.
1. Research the history of the logarithm. Include in your final paper the following topics:
-Who were the mathematicians responsible for inventing logarithms?
-What reason led them to invent logarithms?
-Who were the mathematicians responsible for adapting logarithms into the system that we recognize today?
-Though not required, you may also write about any other historical topic relating to logarithms that you find interesting. (The discovery and uses of the natural base "e" is one such possibility.)
2. Find two applications of logarithms in real-life situations that you find interesting. For each of the applications, include: a description of the application (what is this used for?) and your reason for choosing the application
3. Finally, write a reflection about the experience you had working on this project. Be honest even if you didn’t like the assignment but be constructive! Consider some of the following in your reflection:
- Did you enjoy learning about some of the history of mathematics?
- Do you have a better knowledge of and appreciation for logarithms?
- What was the most interesting thing that you learned?
You may answer these questions and/or talk about anything else relating to your project experience.