John Napier, a Scottish mathematician, is credited with inventing logarithms in the early 17th century, publishing his work in 1614.

Quick Scoop

  • John Napier (1550–1617) introduced logarithms as a tool to simplify lengthy arithmetic, especially for astronomy and navigation.
  • His book Mirifici Logarithmorum Canonis Descriptio (“Description of the Wonderful Canon of Logarithms”) laid out both the theory and tables of logarithms.
  • Around the same period, Swiss mathematician Joost BĂźrgi independently developed a similar logarithmic system, but Napier’s earlier publication gives him priority for the invention.
  • English mathematician Henry Briggs later refined Napier’s idea into the base‑10 “common logarithms” widely used in science and engineering for centuries.

TL;DR: Logarithms were invented by John Napier, with important independent and follow‑up contributions by Joost Bürgi and Henry Briggs.

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