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LOG

The LOG function in Google Sheets returns the logarithm of a given number to a specified base. This function is commonly used in mathematical and financial calculations.

Usage

Use the LOG formula with the syntax shown below, it has 1 required parameter and 1 optional parameter:

=LOG(value, base)
Parameters:
  1. value (required):
    The positive real number for which to calculate the logarithm.
  2. base (optional):
    The optional base of the logarithm. If not provided, the natural logarithm (base e) is used.

Examples

Here are a few example use cases that explain how to use the LOG formula in Google Sheets.

Calculate the logarithm of a number to a specified base

The LOG function can be used to calculate the logarithm of a given number to a specific base, such as base 10 or base 2.

Calculate the natural logarithm of a number

If the base parameter is not provided, the LOG function returns the natural logarithm of the given number, which is often used in mathematical and scientific calculations.

Calculate the logarithmic growth rate of an investment

The LOG function can be used to calculate the logarithmic growth rate of an investment over a period of time, given the initial and final values of the investment.

Common Mistakes

LOG not working? Here are some common mistakes people make when using the LOG Google Sheets Formula:

Incorrect number of arguments

The LOG formula requires two arguments: the value and the base. Make sure you are including both arguments and separating them with commas.

Base is not a positive number

The base argument in the LOG formula must be a positive number. Double-check that you are using a positive number as the base.

Value is not a positive number

The value argument in the LOG formula must be a positive number. Double-check that you are using a positive number as the value.

Using the wrong base

Make sure you are using the correct base for your calculation. If you are not sure what base to use, consult the problem you are trying to solve or look up the relevant information.

Incorrectly formatted syntax

Make sure you are using the correct syntax for the LOG formula. The formula should be written as follows: LOG(value, base)

Related Formulas

The following functions are similar to LOG or are often used with it in a formula:

  • LN

    The LN formula returns the natural logarithm of a given value. The natural logarithm is the logarithm to the base e, where e is an irrational number approximately equal to 2.71828. The formula is commonly used in mathematical and scientific calculations.

  • LOG10

    The LOG10 function returns the base 10 logarithm of a given number. It is commonly used in mathematical and scientific calculations.

  • EXP

    The EXP function returns the result of e raised to the power of a given exponent. This function is commonly used in mathematical and scientific calculations.

  • POWER

    The POWER formula is a mathematical function that calculates a number raised to the power of another number. It returns the result of a base number raised to an exponent.

Learn More

You can learn more about the LOG Google Sheets function on Google Support.