How do I compare orders of forms with different constants?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around comparing the orders of mathematical forms involving factorials and logarithms, specifically focusing on the relationships between constants in the expressions. The subject area includes asymptotic analysis and big O notation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the comparison of orders as n approaches infinity, questioning how to determine which expressions are greater or lesser based on the values of constants. They discuss the implications of different constants in the context of factorial and logarithmic growth.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the behavior of the expressions as n increases, suggesting that the growth rates can be analyzed through limits. There is an ongoing exploration of how the definitions of constants may influence the comparisons, with no explicit consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the constants involved are mutually independent and that there is some confusion regarding the notation of constants (K1 vs. k1). The original poster mentions constraints regarding the values of n and k1, which may vary significantly.

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Homework Statement



Compare each pairs according to their respective orders. Classify these forms by the relationships between the indicated constants.

Note: ki is a constant and all kis are mutually independent. (ki < kj where i < j),
ki ≥1.0.

1) n! Vs. K1^ n => Here its Cap K not little k.

2) log(n^n ) Vs. log(k1^k2 ) => little k


Homework Equations



http://www.augustana.ca/~hackw/csc210/exhibit/chap04/bigOhRules.html

The Attempt at a Solution



Here I am doing Oh Comparison, and I am not sure how to say which greater than, less than, equal to. Say for problem 2:

From the Log of a Power Rule (link above) the order would be O(log n) and O(log k1). Now n can be any number and k1 can be any number. So how would I know which is greater than, less than, or equal to? For all I know n=200 and k1 = 10, or maybe not?

For problem 1 same thing. K1 can be any number as well as n. If n= 2, than 2! = 2, and K1^2 .
 
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I assume you are referring to the comparative orders as n goes to infinity.

Look at the fractions.

1) What is
[tex]\frac{K1^n}{n!}[/tex]
as n goes to infinity? Notice that numerator and denominator both have n terms but each factor in the numerator is K1 while factors in the denominator get larger and larger.

2) is easy! the denominator log(k1k2) is a constant! Any unbounded function of n will eventually be larger than any constant as n goes to infinity!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thank You HallsofIvy for the help. I spoke to the teacher about this and apparently big K and little k are the same thing (K1=k1, K2 = k2), so would this change anything?
 
Ad2d said:
Thank You HallsofIvy for the help. I spoke to the teacher about this and apparently big K and little k are the same thing (K1=k1, K2 = k2), so would this change anything?

Not at all. They are just arbitrary numbers.
 

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