Napier's logarithms were published in 1614 and the earliest natural logarithms occur in 1618, as an accidental variations of Napier's original logarithms. The real significance of natural logarithms was not recognized until later. Burgi's logarithms were published in 1620. Both men had the same objective that was simplify mathematical calculations. Napier's approach was algebraic and Burgi's approach was geometric. The invention of the common system of logarithms is due to the combined effort of Napier and Henry Biggs in 1624. The basic concept of logarithms could be expressed as a shortcut Multiplication is a shortcut for Addition: 3x5 means 5+5+5. Exponents are a shortcut for Multiplication: 43 means 4 x 4 x 4. Logarithms are a shortcut for Exponents: 102 =
Napier's logarithms were published in 1614 and the earliest natural logarithms occur in 1618, as an accidental variations of Napier's original logarithms. The real significance of natural logarithms was not recognized until later. Burgi's logarithms were published in 1620. Both men had the same objective that was simplify mathematical calculations. Napier's approach was algebraic and Burgi's approach was geometric. The invention of the common system of logarithms is due to the combined effort of Napier and Henry Biggs in 1624. The basic concept of logarithms could be expressed as a shortcut Multiplication is a shortcut for Addition: 3x5 means 5+5+5. Exponents are a shortcut for Multiplication: 43 means 4 x 4 x 4. Logarithms are a shortcut for Exponents: 102 =