Re: Definition of Logarithms

"Lesley Robertson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> "Bob" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> > But I do think I agree with the sprit intended... don't worry about
> > being too formal with the math definition; rather, show some example.
> 
> I'd agree. If they get bogged down in logs, they'll miss all the fun
> microbiology. Tell them it's a mathematical trick used to simplify
> situations, and show them a bacterial growth curve in log and non-log forms
> to let them see how much easier it is to ger hard data out of the log form.
> Then say "As to how logs work, well that's another story - ask me back again
> some time". This approach has worked for me...
> Lesley Robertson

OK, thanks folks.
I ran the course again last friday (31st), and of 12 participants, 11
understood logs and one didnt. He did however know what powers were,
so I just explained it from there, and he seemed happy enough at the
end of it. One of the other participants almost put a spanner in the
works later during coffee by talking to him about antilogs and inverse
functions on the scientific calculator, but I overheard him and
managed to interrupt before he got too far!
Regards
Des