logarithm

[law-guh-rith-uh m, -rith-, log-uh-] /ˈlɔ gəˌrɪð əm, -ˌrɪθ-, ˈlɒg ə-/
noun, Mathematics
1.
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
1605-15; < New Latin logarithmus < Greek lóg(os) log- + arithmós number; see arithmetic
Examples from the web for logarithms
  • Common logarithms were invented to simplify such calculations.
British Dictionary definitions for logarithms

logarithm

/ˈlɒɡəˌrɪðəm/
noun
1.
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 ax = M, then the logarithm of M to the base a (written logaM) is x Often shortened to log See also common logarithm, natural logarithm
Word Origin
C17: from New Latin logarithmus, coined 1614 by John Napier, from Greek logos ratio, reckoning + arithmos number
Word Origin and History for logarithms

logarithm

n.

1610s, Modern Latin logarithmus, coined by Scottish mathematician John Napier (1550-1617), literally "ratio-number," from Greek logos "proportion, ratio, word" (see logos) + arithmos "number" (see arithmetic).

logarithms in Science
logarithm
(lô'gə-rĭ'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.