192 definitions by Abu Yahya

(MATHEMATICS) a logarithm whose base is e (2.71828...)

The number e is a transcendental irrational, which means that it has infinitely many decimal places but cannot be expressed as a fraction.

A useful feature of the natural log function is that the derivative of (ln x) is 1/x.
The natural log of n is equal to the {log(base x)n} divided by the {log(base x)e}.
by Abu Yahya May 5, 2010
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the amount of goods and services that a country exports, minus the goods and services that it imports *in a calendar year*. In 1999 Japan exported much more than it imported, so it had a trade surplus. The same year, the United States imported more than it exported, and therefore had a large trade deficit.

The trade balance is negative if a country runs a trade deficit, and positive if it runs a trade surplus.
The trade balance is an extremely important indicator of economic health for most countries. Typically (not not always) the value of the currency is strongly influenced by the trade balance also.
by Abu Yahya February 14, 2009
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a current account deficit; a negative net flow of liquid assets to the citizens of a particular country. The external balance includes the trade balance, net foreign factor income, and net foreign aid *received*. Usually the main cause of an external deficit is a trade deficit.
Internal deficits are sometimes blamed for external deficits, especially if both are chronic.
by Abu Yahya February 14, 2009
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