Napierian logarithm

Napierian logarithm
Logarithm Log"a*rithm (l[o^]g"[.a]*r[i^][th]'m), n. [Gr. lo`gos word, account, proportion + 'ariqmo`s number: cf. F. logarithme.] (Math.) One of a class of auxiliary numbers, devised by John Napier, of Merchiston, Scotland (1550-1617), to abridge arithmetical calculations, by the use of addition and subtraction in place of multiplication and division.

Note: The relation of logarithms to common numbers is that of numbers in an arithmetical series to corresponding numbers in a geometrical series, so that sums and differences of the former indicate respectively products and quotients of the latter; thus, 0 1 2 3 4 Indices or logarithms 1 10 100 1000 10,000 Numbers in geometrical progression Hence, the logarithm of any given number is the exponent of a power to which another given invariable number, called the base, must be raised in order to produce that given number. Thus, let 10 be the base, then 2 is the logarithm of 100, because 10^{2} = 100, and 3 is the logarithm of 1,000, because 10^{3} = 1,000. [1913 Webster]

{Arithmetical complement of a logarithm}, the difference between a logarithm and the number ten.

{Binary logarithms}. See under {Binary}.

{Common logarithms}, or {Brigg's logarithms}, logarithms of which the base is 10; -- so called from Henry Briggs, who invented them.

{Gauss's logarithms}, tables of logarithms constructed for facilitating the operation of finding the logarithm of the sum of difference of two quantities from the logarithms of the quantities, one entry of those tables and two additions or subtractions answering the purpose of three entries of the common tables and one addition or subtraction. They were suggested by the celebrated German mathematician Karl Friedrich Gauss (died in 1855), and are of great service in many astronomical computations.

{Hyperbolic logarithm} or {Napierian logarithm} or {Natural logarithm}, a logarithm (devised by John Speidell, 1619) of which the base is e (2.718281828459045...); -- so called from Napier, the inventor of logarithms.

{Logistic logarithms} or {Proportional logarithms}, See under {Logistic}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Napierian logarithm — [nə pir′ē ən] n. [after NAPIER John] NATURAL LOGARITHM …   English World dictionary

  • Napierian logarithm — The term Napierian logarithm, or Naperian logarithm, is often used to mean the natural logarithm. However, as first defined by John Napier, it is a function given by (in terms of the modern logarithm): A plot of the Napierian logarithm for inputs …   Wikipedia

  • Napierian logarithm — natūrinis logaritmas statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. Napierian logarithm; natural logarithm vok. natürlicher Logarithmus, m; Neperscher Logarithmus, m rus. натуральный логарифм, m pranc. logarithme naturel, m; logarithme népérien, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • Napierian logarithm — noun Etymology: John Napier Date: 1816 natural logarithm …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Napierian logarithm — Math. See natural logarithm. [1810 20] * * * …   Universalium

  • Napierian logarithm — [neɪ pɪərɪən] noun another term for natural logarithm. Origin C19: named after the Scottish mathematician John Napier (1550–1617) …   English new terms dictionary

  • Napierian logarithm — Na•pier′i•an log′arithm [[t]nəˈpɪər i ən[/t]] n. math. natural logarithm …   From formal English to slang

  • Napierian logarithm — /nəˌpɪəriən ˈlɒgərɪðəm/ (say nuh.pearreeuhn loguhridhuhm) noun → natural logarithm. {named after John Napier1} …  

  • Napierian logarithm — n. see LOGARITHM. Etymology: J. Napier, Sc. mathematician d. 1617 …   Useful english dictionary

  • Logarithm — Log a*rithm (l[o^]g [.a]*r[i^][th] m), n. [Gr. lo gos word, account, proportion + ariqmo s number: cf. F. logarithme.] (Math.) One of a class of auxiliary numbers, devised by John Napier, of Merchiston, Scotland (1550 1617), to abridge… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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