Solving a System of Equations Without a Calculator

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the number of solutions for the system of equations y = -4log_{12}(x) and y = 4sin(x) without a calculator. Participants suggest using properties of logarithms and the characteristics of the sine function to analyze the graphs. It is emphasized that the goal is to find the number of intersection points rather than their exact coordinates. A suggested approach is to first solve a simpler problem involving y = 4sin(x) and y = x/25 to identify patterns in intersections. Overall, the conversation highlights methods for analyzing the equations graphically and conceptually without relying on technology.
dragon513
Messages
26
Reaction score
0
Hi, this should be the last question for today :lol:
Determine the number of solutions for the following system:
y = -4log_{12} (x)
y = 4 sin(x)
Is there a way to do this without using a graphing calculator? Thank you very much!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
You do know that -1 <= sin(x) <= 1. That should be a good place to start. :)
 
dragon513 said:
Hi, this should be the last question for today :lol:
Determine the number of solutions for the following system:
y = -4log_{12} (x)
y = 4 sin(x)
Is there a way to do this without using a graphing calculator? Thank you very much!

Hi, hopefully you know some properties of log for the first one.
Hint:y=log_{10}(x)
10^y = x
and y=a*logx = log(x^a)

For the second one, what do you have trouble with?
Can you draw y=sinx?(of course without a calculator)
If you CAN, 4 is just the amplitude, and the graph's domain is(-\infty, \infty)
 
PhysicsinCalifornia said:
Hi, hopefully you know some properties of log for the first one.
Hint:y=log_{10}(x)
10^y = x
and y=a*logx = log(x^a)

For the second one, what do you have trouble with?
Can you draw y=sinx?(of course without a calculator)
If you CAN, 4 is just the amplitude, and the graph's domain is(-\infty, \infty)

Thanks for the input, but that's how far I got by myself :(
I should I get the intersecting points of the two graphs? Should I just use the calculator? Or is there another way around it?
 
dragon513 said:
Thanks for the input, but that's how far I got by myself :(
I should I get the intersecting points of the two graphs? Should I just use the calculator? Or is there another way around it?
You don't need to "get the intersecting points of the two graphs", you want to find their number.
Helpful apprach - solve an easier problem first:
how many points of intersection do these graphs have
y=4 sin(x) and
y=x / 25 ?
Graph "by hand" and see the pattern.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top