polylogarithmic

(definition)

Definition: (1) Any function which is the sum of constants times powers of a logarithm of the argument: f(x)=Σ_i=0^kc_ilog^p_i x. (2) In complexity theory, the measure of computation, m(n) (usually execution time or memory space), is bounded by a polylogarithmic function of the problem size, n. More formally m(n) = O(log^k n).

See also logarithmic, polynomial, exponential.

Author: PEB

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Entry modified 17 December 2004.
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Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "polylogarithmic", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed., U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. 17 December 2004. (accessed TODAY) Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/polylogarith.html