How Do You Simplify Logarithmic and Exponential Equations?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around simplifying logarithmic and exponential equations, specifically focusing on the simplification of expressions involving logarithms and solving logarithmic equations. Participants are exploring various problems related to logarithmic functions and their applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss how to simplify logarithmic expressions, such as rewriting roots in exponential form. There are attempts to solve logarithmic equations and questions about the correctness of their answers. Some participants express uncertainty and seek confirmation of their calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various approaches to solving logarithmic equations and simplifying expressions. Some participants provide calculations and reasoning, while others question their assumptions and interpretations of the problems. There is no explicit consensus, but several lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of homework assignments, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There are discussions about the implications of terms like "compounded quarterly" and how they affect calculations.

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Here's the question:

Simplify the following as much as possible:

ln 5th Sqrt of y^2

a> 2/5 ln y

b> -3 + ln y

c> 3 + ln y

d> 5/2 ln y

A,B,C, or D, which is it?
 
Last edited:
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You can write the 5th sqrt of y^2 as y^(2/5) ... knowing that, it should be easy to get the right answer
 
I'm wanting to say "A", correct?
 
Yeap!

...
 
Thanks for the input, now for another, I'm pretty sure of my answer I just want to be sure. Here it is:

Solve the following equation

log(base)5(x - 1) = -1

a> 6

b> 0.2

c> 1.2

d> 0.8

My initial calculations (if they could be called that) came up with C, is that it?
 
Here's another while I'm at it:

Suppose you have $6000, how much does a return of 3.25% compounded quarterly for 5 years yield?

a> 6195

b> 7040.47

c> 6975

d> 7054.06

I'm wanting to say "B", but am unsure, any help?
 
***bump***
 
01 said:
Thanks for the input, now for another, I'm pretty sure of my answer I just want to be sure. Here it is:
Solve the following equation
log(base)5(x - 1) = -1
a> 6

b> 0.2

c> 1.2

d> 0.8

My initial calculations (if they could be called that) came up with C, is that it?

Well,it's right:
[tex]5^{\log_{5}(x-1)}=5^{-1}\Rightarrow x-1=\frac{1}{5}\Rightarrow x=\frac{6}{5}=1.2[/tex]

Here's another while I'm at it:

Suppose you have $6000, how much does a return of 3.25% compounded quarterly for 5 years yield?

a> 6195

b> 7040.47

c> 6975

d> 7054.06

I'm wanting to say "B", but am unsure, any help?

So the interest is 3.25% per quarter of the year (trimester)??It means 13% per year.That means 780$ per year,which is 3900$ per 5 yrs.

If the interest is 3.25% per year,then it's 4 times less:975$ per 5 years,bringing it to a total of 6975$.Answer c).


In this case,what the hell means "compounded quarterly"??Capitalization once every three months?In this case,the rate per trimester is 3,25%/4=0.8125%.For the first trimester it would be 48.75$.Then for the second semester it would be:6048,75$*0.8125%=49.14609375$.So the total for 6 months would be:6097,89609375$.And for the third semester it would be 6097,89609375$*0.8125%=49.5454057617...$(the calcuator gave me only 10 decimals instead of 14).And the procedure would go on.
I don't know what the final result will be,but definitely it is weird.

Daniel.
 
Suppose you have $6000, how much does a return of 3.25% compounded quarterly for 5 years yield?

In this case,the rate per trimester is 3,25%/4=0.8125%

This is how do it. Develope a simple equation.
First Quarter: [tex]R1 = (6000 + \frac {0.8125}{100} 6000) = 6000(1+ \frac{0.8125}{100})[/tex]


For the second Quarter: [tex]R2 = (R1 + \frac {0.8125}{100} R1) = R1(1+ \frac{0.8125}{100}) = 6000(1+ \frac{0.8125}{100})^2[/tex]

There are 20 quarters in 5 years.
So the return after 5 years R20, is given by

[tex]R20 = 6000(1+ \frac{0.8125}{100})^{20}[/tex]


This gives $ 7054.05 (d)


Regards,

Gamma.
 
  • #10
01 said:
Thanks for the input, now for another, I'm pretty sure of my answer I just want to be sure. Here it is:

Solve the following equation

log(base)5(x - 1) = -1

a> 6

b> 0.2

c> 1.2

d> 0.8

My initial calculations (if they could be called that) came up with C, is that it?

Another approach to this problem is to use the formula for changing the base, which is:

Log(base x)N=(Log(base 10)N)/(Log(base 10)x).

This can be very useful in any future quizzes or exams that you may have. This is also applicable for Ln (which is Log(base e)), e=2.7182...

Applying this formula to your original problem, the equation would look like this:

Log(base 5)(x-1)=-1
(Log(base 10)(x-1))/(log(base 10)5)=-1

Note: Log(base 10)=Log,
futher simplifying, we get

Log(x-1)=-1*Log5

Using properies of logarithms, we get Log(x-1)=Log(5^-1),
take the anti-logarithm of both sides we get, x-1=1/5

therefore answer is: x=1+1/5 or 1.2 :wink:

PS: Can someone help me with my thread (Supplementary angles for Spherical triangles)??
 
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