can someone explain to me what exactly a natural log (ln) means in exponential functions

Question

anonymous · Answer

a natural log is just a logarithm with base e.  e is a number much like pi.  it is about 2.17.

anonymous · Answer

so what does e mean and for what do u use it for?

anonymous · Answer

e is just a number.  it is chosen as a base for exponentials because of it's many special properties especially in calculus..

anonymous · Answer

maybe someone with bigger credentials can explain it better...:) http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.e.html

anonymous · Answer

as a student, i guess the best I can tell you then is..:  it's something you'll just have to get used to... :)