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Glite Dictionary
natural logarithm

natural logarithm

1 5.0
A logarithm that uses the number e, about 2.718, as its base
  • noun
  • /ˈnæʧərəl ˈlɔɡəˌrɪðəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : logaritmo natural
  • We can convert this to exponential form or we can take the natural logarithm of both sides.
  • transformed to the natural logarithm
  • natural logarithm of the total

We can convert this to exponential form or we can take the natural logarithm of both sides.

Examples

  • To reduce the positive skew associated with each of these measures, we transformed these variables by taking their natural logarithms.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Because the distributions of the outcome variables (i.e., inflammatory markers, insulin) were skewed, all outcomes were transformed to the natural logarithm scale.

    Academic text (2013)

  • We control for firm size by including the natural logarithm of total firm assets.

    Academic text (2016)

  • The natural logarithm of population also operates as expected: more people, more cases of AIDS.

    Academic text (1990)

  • All data are normalized using natural logarithms.

    Academic text (1990)

  • All of the earnings variables were transformed into natural logarithms because they provided a better fit for the equation.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The same result, incidentally, occurs when the natural logarithm of PCGNP is used.

    Academic text (1990)

  • Leverage is calculated by dividing total liabilities by total assets, and the natural logarithm of the total assets is used to estimate bank size.

    Academic text (2018)

  • In the model, we control for firm size measured as the natural logarithm of total assets, profit margin, Altman's z-score, and buy-and-hold abnormal return.

    Academic text (2016)

  • In our study, we used the natural logarithm of the sample size to analyze the data more effectively.

Synonyms

Napierian logarithm
vsnatural logarithm
  • Specialized
9.9

The number that tells how many times e must be multiplied to get another number

is the standard modern name for the logarithm to base e

Surface Forms

natural logarithm singular
natural logarithms plural

Morphology

natural + logarithm

The phrase clearly denotes a subtype of ‘logarithm’—the adjective ‘natural’ signals a particular or conventional variety—so a learner who knows ‘logarithm’ will infer it is a specific kind of logarithm. However, the critical detail that it means the logarithm to base e (≈2.718) is a technical convention not predictable from the word 'natural', so the exact meaning requires prior exposure or mathematical knowledge.

Etymology

Natural logarithm may come from how this logarithm fits real, steady growth when you use the special number e (about 2.718). Because using base e makes problems about steady growth or decrease much simpler, this log became called 'natural', so today natural logarithm means 'the logarithm to the base e'.