Algerbra in Astrophysics

[log(3.14)]

Main Question or Discussion Point

I am realy quite terrible at rearranging equations, I wonder if anyone could help?

How can I rearrange : m-M=5log10(d/10) to give d=?

Thanks for any imput.

 

[Cyosis]

First divide by 5, $(m-M)/5=\log_{10}(d/10)$. To get get rid of the log_10 you take 10^ on both sides.

$$10^{\frac{m-M}{5}}=\frac{d}{10}$$

Now multiply by 10.

 

[log(3.14)]

Cheers! This helps alot!

 

[peeyush_ali]

what is this simple calculation has to do with "Astrophysics" ...???

 

[protonchain]

what is this simple calculation has to do with "Astrophysics" ...???

This is the calculation for magnitudes. It's the bane of all new undergraduate astrophysics students :tongue:

 

[Wallace]

Stupid backwards magnitudes! I've seen even seasoned astronomers get in a verbal tangle using the wrong adjective to describe some magnitude (i.e. 'as high as' instead of 'as low as' or vice versa). No wonder beginners have trouble...

 

[Chronos]

Magnitude is a pretty obscure and confusing measure of brightness. Think 2 to the fifth power.