How do I explain to my fourth grader?

Question

In n/4=5, what number is represented by n?

Answer 1

make both sides the exponent for base e. e = about 2.732

then

n/4 = e^5

n = 4e^5 > 4(2)^5 or 64

but < 4(3)^5 or 243

It's closer to 243 than to 64

to get the exact value or closest integer, use a calculator, a scientific one that has e and exponents

but you're explaining this to a 4th grader. They never used to teach logs in 4th grade, not even in 9th grade

a log is the reverse of an exponent. If 2^3 = 8 = 2x2x2, then the log to the base 2 is 3. The log is whatever exponent you need to put over the base to get the given number. 2 is the base, 3 is the exponent. For ln, that's "natural log" which means to the base e = about 2.732

so, n = 4 times e to the 5th power = 4 x e x e x e x e x e

logs are the reverse of exponents or powers, similar to how addition is the reverse or inverse of subtraction, or division is the inverse of multiplication.

A + B = C

C-B = A

1+2 = 3

3-2 = 1

just reverse the process and get back where you started. Logs are sort of like that, only for exponents.