Summation of a Logarithmic Series

[S.R]

Homework Statement

What is the sum of the following series?

log(3/2)+log(4/3)+log(5/4)+...log(200/199).

Where log(x) is log base 10 of x.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Evidently, the previous form equals:

log(3/2*4/3*5/4*...200/199)

I'm missing something - no patterns are evident to me other than the denominator and numerator of the subsequent terms cancel out.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

 

[Curious3141]

I'm missing something - no patterns are evident to me other than the denominator and numerator of the subsequent terms cancel out.

And that's important! What are you left with after cancelling *everything* that can be cancelled?

 

[Saitama]

log(\frac{3}{2}*\frac{4}{3}*\frac{5}{4}*\frac{6}{5}...*\frac{200}{199})

Do you see in what pattern the terms cancel and which terms are left?

 

[S.R]

Intuitively, yes - would it be correct in saying that all terms cancel other than 1/2 and 200/1, leaving 200/2?

 

[Mentallic]

Intuitively no - however, would it be correct in saying that all terms cancel other than 1/2 and 200/1, leaving 200/2?

Yes, that would be correct, and you didn't find it intuitive even though you spotted the pattern?

 

[Saitama]

Intuitively no - however, would it be correct in saying that all terms cancel other than 1/2 and 200/1, leaving 200/2?

Yes, only 1/2 and 200/1 remains. 3 cancels 1/3, 4 cancels 1/4, 5 cancels 1/5 but there's no one to cancel 200 and 1/2.

 

[S.R]

Quickly edited after rereading . I'm not sure why I didn't recognize that pattern before.