Apparently for the HSC (this is taken from a 2u lecture I saw at usyd last year) ln=log=log<sub>e</sub>Originally posted by CM_Tutor
ln always means log<sub>e</sub>
log on the calculator means log<sub>10</sub>
Using just 'log' can mean any base, because it doesn't matter - ie. in log laws like log x<sup>n</sup> = nlog x, or in questions like find x if log(x + 3) = log(7 - 2x)
Alternately, using just 'log' can mean log<sub>10</sub> as is the case with a calculator.
Sometimes it might also be used to mean log<sub>e</sub>, but this is comparatively rare.
Thus deciding what log on its own means is context-dependent. IMO, you should avoid using log on its own (ie without a base), as it is open to misinterpretation - unless a question does so first, in which case you should follow the questions lead.