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logarithm

(lôg′ə 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:

logarithmic adjective
logarithmically adverb

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 n^x = a, the logarithm of a, with n as the base, is x; symbolically, log_n 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

Related Forms: