logarithm

[ law-guh-rith-uh m, -rith-, log-uh- ]
/ ˈlɔ gəˌrɪð əm, -ˌrɪθ-, ˈlɒg ə- /

noun Mathematics.

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

Example sentences from the Web for logarithm

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

Word Origin for logarithm

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

Scientific definitions for logarithm

logarithm
[ lôgə-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.