How can I specify the base for Math.log() in JavaScript?

Question

I need a log function for JavaScript, but it needs to be base 10. I can\'t see any listing for this, so I\'m assuming it\'s not possible. Are there any math wiz

Answer 1

You can simply divide the logarithm of your value, and the logarithm of the desired base, also you could override the Math.log method to accept an optional base argument:

Math.log = (function() {
  var log = Math.log;
  return function(n, base) {
    return log(n)/(base ? log(base) : 1);
  };
})();

Math.log(5, 10);

Answer 2

Math.log10 = function(n) {
    return (Math.log(n)) / (Math.log(10));
}

Then you can do

Math.log10(your_number);

NOTE: Initially I thought to do Math.prototype.log10 = ... to do this, but user CMS pointed out that Math doesn't work this way, so I edited out the .prototype part.

Answer 3

For base 10 use Math.log10().

See docs at: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Math/log10

Answer 4

Easy, just change the base by dividing by the log(10). There is even a constant to help you

Math.log(num) / Math.LN10;

which is the same as:

Math.log(num) / Math.log(10);

Answer 5

If you have a number x, then use of Math.log(x) would essentially be lnx.

To convert it to a base other than e, you can use the following function :

function(x){ return Math.log(x)/Math.log(10); }

Answer 6

FF 25+ supports a Math.log10 method. You may to use polyfill:

if (!Math.log10) Math.log10 = function(t){ return Math.log(t)/Math.LN10; };

MDN lists the supported browsers.

Desktop Browsers

Chrome    Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer   Opera   Safari
38        25 (25)         Not supported       25      7.1

Mobile Browsers

Android         Chrome for Android    Firefox Mobile (Gecko)  IE Mobile      Opera Mobile    Safari Mobile
Not supported   Not supported         25.0 (25)               Not supported  Not supported   iOS 8