What is mantissa? Explain with an example

Consider a number N > 0.

Then, let the value of log 10 N consist of two parts:

One an integral part, the other – a proper fraction.

The integral part is called the Characteristic and the fractional or the decimal part is called the Mantissa.

For example, log₁₀15 = 1.176 = 1 + 0.176

In 1.176, the Integral part is “1” and the decimal or fractional part is “0.176” Therefore, for the number log₁₀15: the Characteristic is 1and the Mantissa is 0.176