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 But unlike logarithms or formulas, there was no registry for sequences of numbers. —

Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 3 Mar. 2023 In physics, the formula for entropy involves taking a logarithm of possible physical states. —

Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 6 Sep. 2022 The same team also computed a discrete logarithm of a different key of the same size. —

Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 5 July 2022 Technology is great, but sometimes answers are simpler than a logarithm. —

Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2022 Traditional encryption uses schemes based on complex mathematics such as factoring (breaking an integer down to its prime factors) or discrete logarithm. —

Adrienne Bernhard, Popular Mechanics, 26 Oct. 2021 Given that a function can’t be divided by zero and zero has no logarithm, this value might cause software to malfunction if it wasn’t specifically planned for. —

Adrienne Bernhard, Popular Mechanics, 2 July 2021 Though Dvorkin attributes secrecy behind the FICO logarithm to the spreading of myths about precise math behind creating the credit risk score commonly used by lenders, FICO does offer up some of the details. —

Rich Exner, cleveland, 29 Apr. 2021 Finding the power of 10 that a number is raised to is exactly what a logarithm does. —

Rhett Allain, Wired, 27 Nov. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'logarithm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.