Final answer:
John Napier is credited with inventing logarithms to simplify calculations involving exponential numbers, such as turning multiplication into addition or division into subtraction of logarithms. This was a significant historical development in mathematics and greatly aided scientific advancements.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Napier, a Scottish mathematician, is credited with inventing logarithms in the early 17th century. Logarithms are a fundamental mathematical tool that allows for the simplification of calculations involving exponential numbers. For example, the common logarithm of a number (log) is the power to which 10 must be raised to equal that number. Additionally, fundamental properties of logarithms include that the logarithm of a product is the sum of the logarithms, and the logarithm of a quotient is the difference between the logarithms of the numerator and the denominator.
The invention of logarithms significantly aided in calculations before the advent of calculators, making it easier to work with large numbers and complex multiplications or divisions. Napier's work on logarithms was essential for advancements in astronomy, navigation, and other fields that required extensive calculation. His work on logarithms can also be seen as a precursor to the modern logarithmic functions used in mathematics today.