expected output from log of negative number

[Doug Stewart]

E. Joshua Rigler wrote:
> If I type log10(-1), I get a complex number back whose real part is the 
> log of the absolute value of the argument, and whose imaginary part is 
> always equal to 1.36438.  What's more, I get similar behavior with a 
> natural log, but the imaginary part is always equal to Pi.
>
> I've managed to confirm that this behavior is compatible with ML, so I 
> imagine it's not a bug, but can someone explain to me the logic here?
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>   
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/math99/math99180.htm

Is this good enough or do you want more?