logarithm

noun

log·​a·​rithm ˈlȯ-gə-ˌri-t͟həm 

ˈlä-

: the exponent that indicates the power to which a base number is raised to produce a given number

the logarithm of 100 to the base 10 is 2

logarithmic

ˌlȯ-gə-ˈrit͟h-mik 

ˌlä-

adjective

logarithmically

ˌlȯ-gə-ˈrit͟h-mi-k(ə-)lē 

ˌlä-

adverb

Examples of logarithm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Babbage had built a prototype for an earlier device called the difference engine (currently on display at the Museum of Science in London), which could mechanically calculate a preset suite of operations such as certain logarithms and trigonometric functions. —Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 4 June 2024

During the trip Jack calculated for his father a table of logarithms, and as a reward, on the last day of the successful tests, John Scott decided his son should have a dive. —Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024

Their functions included computing higher-order multiplications, exponents and logarithms, among other mathematical operations. —Alex Traub, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024

Computer scientists generally believe that there is no quick way to find the discrete logarithm with a classical computer. —Kelsey Houston-Edwards, Scientific American, 16 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin logarithmus, from log- + Greek arithmos number — more at arithmetic

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing logarithm

• common logarithm
• Napierian logarithm
• natural logarithm

Kids Definition

logarithm

noun

log·​a·​rithm ˈlȯg-ə-ˌrit͟h-əm 

ˈläg-

: the exponent that indicates the power to which a base number is raised to produce a given number

the logarithm of 100 to the base 10 is 2

logarithmic

ˌlȯg-ə-ˈrit͟h-mik 

ˌläg-

adjective