logarithm

[ law-guh-rith-uhm, -rith-, log-uh- ]

See synonyms for logarithm on Thesaurus.com

nounMathematics.

the exponent of the power to which a base number must be raised to equal a given number; log: 2 is the logarithm of 100 to the base 10 (2 = log10 100).

Origin of logarithm

1605–15; <New Latin logarithmus<Greek lóg(os) log- + arithmós number; see arithmetic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use logarithm in a sentence

She fidgeted, till Mr. Ernescliffe asked Norman if there was a table of logarithms in the house.
The Daisy Chain | Charlotte Yonge
He left school at sixteen, after having mastered geometry and trigonometry, and having learned to use logarithms.
Historic Fredericksburg | John T. Goolrick
This “Appendix” relates to logarithms and is an able document, containing several points of historical interest.
William Oughtred | Florian Cajori
A great mathematical invention made by a Scotchman soon commanded his attention—the invention of logarithms.
William Oughtred | Florian Cajori
The decimal point (or comma) was first used by the inventor of logarithms, John Napier, as early as 1616 and 1617.
William Oughtred | Florian Cajori

British Dictionary definitions for logarithm

logarithm

/ (ˈlɒɡəˌrɪðəm) /

noun

the exponent indicating the power to which a fixed number, the base, must be raised to obtain a given number or variable. It is used esp to simplify multiplication and division: if a x = M, then the logarithm of M to the base a (written log a M) is x: Often shortened to: log See also common logarithm, natural logarithm

Origin of logarithm

C17: from New Latin logarithmus, coined 1614 by John Napier, from Greek logos ratio, reckoning + arithmos number

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for logarithm

logarithm

[ lô′gə-rĭð′əm ]

The power to which a base must be raised to produce a given number. For example, if the base is 10, then the logarithm of 1,000 (written log 1,000 or log10 1,000) is 3 because 103 = 1,000. See more at common logarithm natural logarithm.

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