logarithm

noun

log·​a·​rithm ˈlȯ-gə-ˌri-t͟həm How to pronounce logarithm (audio)
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 adjective
logarithmically adverb

Examples of logarithm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Their functions included computing higher-order multiplications, exponents and logarithms, among other mathematical operations. Alex Traub, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024 Computer scientists generally believe that there is no quick way to find the discrete logarithm with a classical computer. Kelsey Houston-Edwards, Scientific American, 16 Jan. 2024 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

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.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin logarithmus, from log- + Greek arithmos number — more at arithmetic

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of logarithm was circa 1616

Dictionary Entries Near logarithm

Cite this Entry

“Logarithm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/logarithm. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

logarithm

noun
log·​a·​rithm ˈlȯg-ə-ˌrit͟h-əm How to pronounce logarithm (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on logarithm

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