logarithm

(lôgə rit̸h′əm, läg-)

noun

Math. the exponent expressing the power to which a fixed number (the base) must be raised in order to produce a given number (the antilogarithm): logarithms computed to the base 10 are often used for shortening mathematical calculations

Origin: ModL logarithmus < Gr logos, a word, proportion, ratio (see logic) + arithmos, number (see arithmetic)

Related Forms:

See logarithm in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
Mathematics
The power to which a base, such as 10, must be raised to produce a given number. If nx = a, the logarithm of a, with n as the base, is x; symbolically, logn a = x. For example, 103 = 1,000; therefore, log10 1,000 = 3. The kinds most often used are the common logarithm (base 10), the natural logarithm (base e), and the binary logarithm (base 2).

Origin:

Origin: New Latin logarithmus

Origin: : Greek logos, reason, proportion; see leg- in Indo-European roots

Origin: + Greek arithmos, number; see ar- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • logˌa·rithˈmic (-rĭÞˈmĭk), logˌa·rithˈmi·cal (-mĭ-kəl) adjective
  • logˌa·rithˈmi·cal·ly adverb

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