To show of 5[SUP]√2 [SUP] >7, logically.

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter ssd
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem requiring participants to demonstrate the inequality 5√2 > 7 logically. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and exploration of various approaches to prove the statement without directly calculating non-integer powers.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests rewriting the inequality as 5^{√2} > 5^{1.4} and proposes using the generalized binomial expansion to calculate 5^{1.4}.
  • Another participant reiterates the approach of proving 5^{1.4} > 7 by transforming it into an integer power comparison, suggesting that this could simplify the problem.
  • A third participant mentions starting with the inequality 2 > 1.96 and calculating 514 and 710, indicating a potential method but expressing uncertainty about the desired approach.
  • Another participant introduces the idea of using logarithms, specifically log base 2, to manipulate the inequality and suggests a series of steps involving logarithmic properties to reach a conclusion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing approaches to the problem, with no consensus on a single method or solution. The discussion remains unresolved as different strategies are proposed without agreement on the best path forward.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the use of non-integer powers and the applicability of standard inequalities, indicating potential limitations in their approaches.

ssd
Messages
268
Reaction score
6
Stuck at the simple looking homework problem of my student:
To show 5√2 >7, logically.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: DuckAmuck
Physics news on Phys.org
Its ##5^{\sqrt2}>5^{1.4}##.

Now I suppose you aren't allowed to calculate powers other than integer powers, so you ll have to calculate 5^1.4 using the generalized binomial expansion ##(1+4)^{1.4}##. The first few terms up to 4^3 would be enough to show that ##5^{1.4}>7##.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_theorem#Generalisations
 
Last edited:
Delta² said:
Its ##5^{\sqrt2}>5^{1.4}##.

Now I suppose you aren't allowed to calculate powers other than integer powers, so you ll have to calculate 5^1.4 using the generalized binomial expansion ##(1+4)^{1.4}##. The first few terms up to 4^3 would be enough to show that ##5^{1.4}>7##.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_theorem#Generalisations

No need for that. If you want to prove ##5^{1.4} > 7##, then this is equivalent to proving ##(5^{14/10})^{10} > 7^{10}##. This should land you in the realm on the integers.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Delta2
Thanks for your response. So, we can start with 2>1.96 and calculate 514 and 710. But this is not the answer I was looking for. Actually this can be done using standard inequalities (it's my guess only).
 
ssd said:
Thanks for your response. So, we can start with 2>1.96 and calculate 514 and 710. But this is not the answer I was looking for. Actually this can be done using standard inequalities (it's my guess only).
How about letting L = log base 2 and noticing:
L5√2 = √2L5 > 1.4L5 = 4(L5)/10 + L5 = (L54)/10 + L5 > .9 + L5 > ½ + L5 > L(1.4) + L5 = L(1.4•5) = L7.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K