What does logarithmic mean?
Logarithmic describes something governed by, expressed in terms of, or displayed using logarithms. A logarithm converts multiplication into addition by recording the exponent needed to reach a given value. This makes logarithmic relationships useful for studying quantities that span many orders of magnitude, such as populations, sound intensities, and the brightness of stars. In a logarithmic scale, equal distances represent equal ratios rather than equal numerical differences, so values such as 10, 100, and 1,000 can be displayed at regular intervals. A quantity that grows logarithmically increases by progressively smaller amounts as time passes. The word is therefore especially common in technical, scientific, and mathematical contexts, but it is also used in everyday descriptions of data and trends. Understanding it helps distinguish multiplicative patterns from linear change, in which equal additions produce equal increases.
adjectiveRelating to or involving logarithms, especially to a scale or relationship in which equal intervals represent equal ratios rather than equal differences.
- Relating to or involving logarithms.
- Characterized by growth or change that follows a logarithmic pattern, with the rate of increase gradually decreasing.
"The chart uses a logarithmic scale, making each interval represent a tenfold increase."
"The population curve shows logarithmic growth, with smaller increases over time."
"Researchers analyzed the signal using a logarithmic function to make the wide range of values easier to compare."
On a logarithmic scale, powers of ten are spaced out evenly, turning multiplication into visual distances.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does logarithmic come from?
The adjective logarithmic was formed in English from logarithm and the suffix -ic, meaning “pertaining to” or “involving.” Logarithm comes from Greek logos, meaning “relation” or “ratio,” and arithmos, meaning “number.” The related mathematical terminology was developed during the early modern period, when logarithms greatly simplified calculations involving multiplication and powers.
Related word forms
How logarithmic is actually used
Chiefly used in mathematics, science, economics, and data visualization. In general writing, it is more precise and technical than informal alternatives such as log-based.
Easily confused with logarithmic
Logarithmic describes a relationship based on logarithms or equal ratios, whereas exponential describes a relationship in which a quantity is raised to a constant power.