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

This relationship can be seen most visually by taking the logarithm of both sides. —Korok Ray, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

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

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