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the log of a number, X, is equal to some value , N, and by definition

10 to the N power =X

10 to any power is always positive

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Q: Why can't you take the log of a negative number?
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Log -3 equals?

There is no answer - it is an error: negative numbers do not have logarithms. The log if a number tells to what power the (positive) base must be raised to get the number. Raising any positive number to any power will never result in a negative number, so it is an error to try and take the log of a negative number.


How is it possible to find the negative log explain?

Logs are defined only for positive numbers so the log of a negative number does not exist.


Is it possible for a logarithm to equal a negative number?

Yes. The logarithm of 1 is zero; the logarithm of any number less than one is negative. For example, in base 10, log(0.1) = -1, log(0.01) = -2, log(0.001) = -3, etc.


What is gernal value of log y?

Log(y) can be any number, positive or negative, no limits. It all depends on the value of 'y'.


Why negative value is not valid for log?

The logarithm function is the inverse of the exponential function. Take the exponential function (base 10): y = 10x. The inverse of this is x = 10y. The function y = log(x) is used to define this inverse function. First look at y = 10x. Any real value of x will yield a positive real value for y. If x = 0, then y = 1; if x < 0 (negative) then y is between 0 and 1 (it will never equal zero, though). A value of 10-99999 is very close to zero, but not quite there. There are no real values of x which will give a negative y value for y = 10x. Now look at y = log(x) or x = 10y. No matter what real values for y, that we choose, x will always be a positive number, so a negative value of x in y = log(x) is not possible if you are limiting to real numbers. It is possible with complex and imaginary numbers to take a log of a negative number, or to get a negative answer to y = 10x.