Algerbra in Astrophysics

1. May 30, 2009

log(3.14)

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.

2. May 30, 2009

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.

3. May 30, 2009

log(3.14)

Cheers! This helps alot!

4. Jun 9, 2009

peeyush_ali

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

5. Jun 9, 2009

protonchain

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

6. Jun 9, 2009

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...

7. Jun 9, 2009

Chronos

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

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