Easy and useful way to calculate Log(a+b)

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The discussion focuses on the approximation of Log(a+b) using limits, specifically under the conditions a>b and b>a. It emphasizes that the limit approaches Log(a) + Log(√(a⋅b)) as a and b become equal. However, participants point out that the conditions require a+b>0 and ab>0, and that c cannot equal 1. The validity of the approximation is questioned, as it only holds true when a=b, limiting its practical usefulness. The conversation highlights the need for clearer mathematical definitions and conditions for the approximation to be applicable.
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a>b ⇒ Lim(a–b)→0 Logc(a+b) ≈ Logc(a) + Logc(√a⋅b)

b>a ⇒ Lim(b–a)→0 Logc(a+b) ≈ Logc(a) + Logc(√a⋅b)

a∈ℝ
b∈ℝ
c∈ℝ / c>0
 
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guifb99 said:
a>b ⇔ Lim(a–b)→0 Logc(a+b) ≈ Logc(a) + Logc(√a⋅b)

b>a ⇔ Lim(b–a)→0 Logc(a+b) ≈ Logc(a) + Logc(√a⋅b)

a∈ℝ
b∈ℝ
c∈ℝ / c>0

Yes, this is the second post I do about it, but now I did it in a better format, the other one was too confusing because I didn't know how to use the mathematical symbols in the thread, I'm new here.
 
guifb99 said:
a>b ⇒ Lim(a–b)→0 Logc(a+b) ≈ Logc(a) + Logc(√a⋅b)

b>a ⇒ Lim(b–a)→0 Logc(a+b) ≈ Logc(a) + Logc(√a⋅b)
I don't see the point of writing this as a limit. Also, when you take a limit, use =, not ≈.
[QUOTE="guifb99]
a∈ℝ
b∈ℝ
[/quote]These won't do. You need to have a + b > 0 and ab > 0, not just arbitrary real numbers.
[QUOTE="guifb99]
c∈ℝ / c>0[/QUOTE]
Also, c cannot be 1.
 
But this only calculates log(a+b) in the limit when (a-b) = 0 i.e. a=b. Then we have $$
\begin{align*} \log(a+b) &= \log(2a) = \log 2 + \log a \\
\log a + \log \sqrt{a \cdot a} &= 2 \log a \end{align*}
$$ So your equation is only true when a=b=2: that doesn't look very useful to me.
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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