Use the definition of logarithm to find the missing value. \[ \log _{3} a=4 \] Answer 2 Points Keyboard SI Prev \( \square \)

To find the missing value \(a\) in the logarithmic equation \(\log_{3} a = 4\), we can rewrite it in its exponential form. This means that \(a\) equals \(3\) raised to the power of \(4\). So, we calculate \(a = 3^4\), which gives us \(a = 81\). Thus, the missing value is \(81\). Logarithms are not just academic; they have practical applications in various fields! For example, in computer science, logarithms help analyze algorithms' efficiency—particularly in sorting and searching data. They're also used in measuring the intensity of earthquakes (Richter scale) and sound (decibels), demonstrating their relevance in real-world scenarios.