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We know that $\phi$, the golden ratio, is algebraic. Is it known whether $\log(\phi)$ is algebraic?

Thank you!

PS. I am not in number theory, so I apologize in advance if this is obvious.

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You mean we know that $\phi$ is algebraic? –  Qiaochu Yuan May 27 '11 at 8:20
Certainly. Typo. Thanks! Fixed it. –  William May 27 '11 at 8:28
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up vote 12 down vote accepted

$\log (\phi)$ is transcendental. The Lindemann–Weierstrass theorem implies that if $\alpha$ is a nonzero algebraic number, then $e^\alpha$ is transcendental. So since $\phi$ is algebraic, $\log (\phi)$ is transcendental.

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Whoops. The statement of Lindemann-Weierstrass is slightly stronger than I remember. –  Qiaochu Yuan May 27 '11 at 9:04
The trick is to have forgotten the statement entirely, so you have to look it up. –  Chris Eagle May 27 '11 at 9:09
I see. Thank you. –  William May 27 '11 at 9:22
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