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I'm currently in the process of approximating the logarithm of any base. I know that $\ln(x)$ or $\log_e(x)$ can be approximated with this formula:

$$\ln(x)=2\sum_{k=0}^\infty\frac1{2k+1}\left(\frac{x-1}{x+1}\right)^{2k + 1}$$

This was taken from Wikipedia.

However, I can't seem to find any approximation for any other base.

Is there any approximation that can approximate a number where a number and a base is given?

2 Answers2

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If $y:=\log_ax$ then $x=a^y=e^{y\ln a}$, so $y=\frac{\ln x}{\ln a}$.

J.G.
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Knowing that

$$\log_b x = \frac{\log_e x}{\log_e b},$$ you're left to get an approximation of $\log_e b$ which you can do using the formula you provide in the question.

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    More a comment than an answer... – Jean Marie Dec 22 '21 at 16:33
  • @JeanMarie I agree. I feel the questioner is hoping for an infinite summation that deals explicitly with the base b rather than just doing a standard conversion. Wish I knew how! – Anton Dec 22 '21 at 16:39