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SEM 2 GEOA Finding Value From Logarithmic Table

Log-and-Antilog-Tables

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12 views

SEM 2 GEOA Finding Value From Logarithmic Table

Log-and-Antilog-Tables

Uploaded by

rakeshsunny469
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© © All Rights Reserved
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SEM 2/ GEOA : Finding value from Logarithmic Table

It is not always necessary to find the logarithm of a number by mere calculation. We can also use logarithm
table to find the logarithm of a number. The logarithm of a number comprises of two parts. The whole part is
the characteristics and the decimal part is the mantissa.
Positive Characteristic
The whole part or the integral part of a number is the characteristic. The characteristic of the logarithm of any
number greater than 1 is positive and is one less than the number of the digits to the left of the decimal point
in the given number. If the number is less than one, then the characteristic is negative and is one more than
the number of zeros to the right of the decimal point.

For Example

Number Characteristic

0 [one less than the number of digits to the left of


4
the decimal point].

21 1

111 2

– 1 [one more than the number of zeros on the


0.1
right immediately after the decimal point].

0.025 –2

0.000010 –5

Negative Characteristic
The logarithm of a number having ‘n’ zeros immediately after the decimal is – (n + 1) + the decimal.
Mantissa
The decimal part of the number logarithm of a number is the mantissa. A mantissa is always a positive
quantity. The negative mantissa should always be converted into a positive one. For example, – 5.2592 = – 6
+ (1 – 0.2592) = 6 ¯+ 0.7428
Anti-Logarithms (Antilog)
The anti-logarithm of a number is the inverse process of finding the logarithms of the same number. If x is
the logarithm of a number y with a given base b, then y is the anti-logarithm of (antilog) of x to the base b.
Natural Logarithms and Anti-Logarithms have their base as 2.7183. The Logarithms and Anti-Logarithms
with base 10 can be converted into natural Logarithms and Anti-Logarithms by multiplying it by 2.303.
Anti-Logarithmic Table
To find the anti-logarithm of a number we use an anti-logarithmic table. Below are the steps to find the
antilog.
 The first step is to separate the characteristic and the mantissa part of the number.
 Use the antilog table to find a corresponding value for the mantissa. The first two digits of the mantissa
work as the row number and the third digit is equal to the column number. Note this value.
 The antilog table also includes columns which provide the mean difference. For the same row of the
mantissa, the column number in the mean difference is equal to the fourth digit. Note this value.
 Add the values so obtained.
 In the characteristic add one. This value shows the place to put the decimal point. The decimal point is
inserted after that many digits from the left.
Solved Examples on Logarithms and Anti-Logarithms
Problem: Find the value of log 2.8726.
Solution: Here the number of digit to the left of the decimal is 1 so the value of the characteristic will be one
less than one i.e., 0. From the log table, the value of 2.8726 is 0.45827. Adding the values of mantissa and the
characteristic we find the value of the logarithm. So, log 2.8725 = 0 + 0.45827 = 0.45827.
Problem: Calculate the antilog of 3.6552.
Solution: Here we need to find the number whose logarithm is 3.655. From the antilog table, the value
corresponding to the row 65 and column 5 is 4508. The mean difference column for the value 2 is 2. Adding
these two values, we have 4518 + 2 = 4520. The decimal point is placed in 3 + 1 = 4 digits from the left. So,
antilog 3.6552 = 4520.0

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