Check My Logs & Exponential Homework Answers

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating an expression involving logarithms and exponentiation, specifically the expression 8^(4x/3) / log(base 10) (5x-3/x^0) with x set to 12.4. Participants are attempting to clarify the correct interpretation and calculation of this expression.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the ambiguity in the expression, particularly regarding the interpretation of (5x-3/x^0). There are discussions about the correct substitution of x and the resulting calculations. Some participants express confusion over the results obtained and the steps taken to arrive at them.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of different interpretations of the expression and the calculations involved. Some participants have provided insights into their reasoning, while others are seeking clarification on specific steps and assumptions. No consensus has been reached on the correct approach or final answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need for clarity in mathematical notation and the potential for misinterpretation of the expression due to its formatting. There is also mention of the requirement to express the final answer to two significant figures.

zebra1707
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Homework Statement



Greetings - can someone please check my work, many thanks

Homework Equations



If x = 12.4 Find the value of ... correct to two sig fgures

8^(4x/3) / log(base 10) (5x-3/x^0)

The Attempt at a Solution



= 8^(16 8/15) / log(base 10) (5(12.4)-3 / 1)
= 4.8 x 10^14 (via calc 4.818429574)

Many thanks
 
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zebra1707 said:

Homework Statement



Greetings - can someone please check my work, many thanks


Homework Equations



If x = 12.4 Find the value of ... correct to two sig fgures

8^(4x/3) / log(base 10) (5x-3/x^0)
This expression, (5x-3/x^0), is ambiguous. Is it (5x - 3)/1 or 5x - (3/1)? If it's the former, you're missing some needed parentheses.
zebra1707 said:

The Attempt at a Solution



= 8^(16 8/15) / log(base 10) (5(12.4)-3 / 1)
= 4.8 x 10^14 (via calc 4.818429574)
Neither of these expressions is right. Starting with 8^(4x/3), how did you get 8^(16 8/15)? I'm assuming the part in parentheses is 16 + 8/15. If you substitute 12.4 for x, and multiply by 4/3, what do you get?

How did you get 4.8 x 10^14? That would be 480,000,000,000,000, nowhere close to 4.818...
zebra1707 said:
Many thanks
 
Hi Mark

For this question - I need to substitute 12.4 into all x values.

(5x-3/x to the power 0) so if you substitute 12.4 into the x in this part of the equation (12.4^0), yes, you will get (5(12.4)/1).

Is a substitution question.

I don't yet understand how to add the Maths chararcters in the Forum.

Cheers
 
zebra1707 said:
Hi Mark

For this question - I need to substitute 12.4 into all x values.
That much is obvious.
zebra1707 said:
(5x-3/x to the power 0) so if you substitute 12.4 into the x in this part of the equation (12.4^0), yes, you will get (5(12.4)/1).
No you don't. Where did the 3 go?

I still don't know what you mean when you wrote (5x-3/x^0), so please read what I wrote in my previous post more carefully and answer the questions that I asked.
zebra1707 said:
Is a substitution question.

I don't yet understand how to add the Maths chararcters in the Forum.

Cheers
 
Really sorry,

If x = 12.4 Find the value of ... correct to two sig fgures

8^(4x/3) (divided by sign) log(base 10 subscript) (5x-3/x^0) - this is exactly how the question is written.

x to the 0 power is 1 so log(base10)(5x-3/1) = log 59

8 to the power of 4x/3 if you substitute 12.4 into x you get 8 to the power of 16 8/15

So. 8 to the power of 16 8/15 or (16.533333.) (divided by ) log(base10)(5x-3/1) = log 59.

Hope that helps - otherwise not sure how I can explain this further.

If I do this again I get 1.6 x 10^14
Cheers
 
Yes, it reduces to
[tex]\frac{8^{16.53333..}}{59}[/tex]

but I do NOT get "1.6 x 10^14" for that.
 
Thanks HOI, I am getting two different answers and getting confused.

Ill have another look at this. Cheers
 
This is a relatively straightforward problem in using a calculator. You shouldn't be getting two answers.
 
Thanks Mark, for all your help.

Cheers
 

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