What is the Range of a/b When ln(a+1)/ln(b+1) = x?

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter AlexRaw
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ratio
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the range of the ratio a/b given the equation ln(a+1)/ln(b+1) = x, where a and b are positive integers within specified limits. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and exploration of logarithmic relationships.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a belief that a/b should have a well-defined range for a given value of ln(a)/ln(b), but acknowledges a lack of mathematical confidence.
  • Another participant attempts to simplify the relationship by manipulating the logarithmic expressions, suggesting that (a-b) = e^x, where 0 < x < 1, and proposes a combined equation involving a and b.
  • Several participants challenge the validity of the logarithmic transformations, asserting that ln(m-n) does not equal ln(m/n) and emphasizing the distinction between these expressions.
  • There is a correction regarding the misinterpretation of logarithmic properties, with participants reiterating that ln(m/n) = ln(m) - ln(n) and cannot be equated to ln(m-n) without specific conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the mathematical manipulations presented. There are competing views on the validity of the logarithmic transformations and the implications for determining the range of a/b.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the understanding of logarithmic properties and the assumptions made in the transformations. The mathematical steps and relationships remain unresolved, with participants expressing differing interpretations.

AlexRaw
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hi,
I am working on a data set and I have log-transformed two variables a and b and would like to figure out the relationship between the respective ratios. I have a strong intuition that a/b should have a well-defined range for a given value of lna/lnb, but my maths is poor.

a and be are positive integers with a finite range
0 < a < amax, amax=499639
1 < b < bmax, bmax=837481

I am looking for the range of
a/b
when
ln(a+1)/ln(b+1) = x
0 < x < 1

I know that for x = 1, a/b = 1 and when x = 0, a/b = 0
For anything in between there must be a range.

I'd like to plug in an x and get a range of possible values for a/b.
I have run a regression analysis on my data and figured out the deviations, but I am looking for a cleaner, more general solution that I could potentially also compute when the ranges of a and b are different.

Is this even possible?

Thanks in advance. I'd appreciate any help. :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
*Note, it usually helps to write out the mathematical computations yourself for better understanding. Also, the final solution that I have concluded will be capitalized and spaced out to make the conclusion clearer and stand out.*

Hi, I understand that it has been quite some time since you posted this question, but I would like to answer it simply for the sake of not leaving this question unanswered.

Now I'm not sure if there is something missing to this question, but as far as I understand it:

0 < a < 499,639

1 < b < 837,481; where:

ln(a+1)/ln(b+1) = x and 0 < x < 1

Understanding the premise of the question, let's simplify the information given into something more palatable:

ln(a+1)/ln(b+1) = x

ln((a+1) - (b+1)) = x

ln(a+1-b-1) = x

ln(a-b) = x

(a-b) = e^x; where 0 < x < 1

Now that we have simplified, we have two pieces of information:

(a-b) = e^x; where 0 < x < 1

a/b = x

With this in mind, we can combine these equations to further simplify this into one equation:

( A - B ) = E ^ ( A / B ); where 0 < a/b < 1, 0 < a < 499,639 and 1 < b < 837,481

This equation can be graphed using the appropriate restrictions in order to achieve the graph you (possibly) are looking for. I hope this helps!

[DESMOS]advanced: {"version":7,"graph":{"squareAxes":false,"viewport":{"xmin":-1285622.270847463,"ymin":-1288793.4180495471,"xmax":1438164.1255536359,"ymax":1434992.978351541}},"expressions":{"list":[{"type":"expression","id":"graph1","color":"#2d70b3","latex":"e^{\\frac{x}{y}}=x-y"},{"type":"expression","id":"2","color":"#388c46","latex":"0\\ <\\frac{x}{y}\\ "},{"type":"expression","id":"3","color":"#6042a6","latex":"\\frac{x}{y}\\ <\\ 1"},{"type":"expression","id":"4","color":"#000000"},{"type":"expression","id":"5","color":"#c74440"}]}}[/DESMOS]

* the solution that satisfies the given restrictions are where the green and purple colors MEET, that is, the darker purple color houses all of the possible combinations of "a" and "b" (x and y) that satisfies the conditions outlined in the question.*
 
Llwewllyn said:
ln(a+1)/ln(b+1) = x

ln((a+1) - (b+1)) = x

ln(a+1-b-1) = x

ln(a-b) = x

$$\ln(m-n) = \ln \left( \dfrac{m}{n} \right) \neq \dfrac{\ln m}{\ln n}$$
 
mrtwhs said:
$$\ln(m-n) = \ln \left( \dfrac{m}{n} \right) \neq \dfrac{\ln m}{\ln n}$$
Sorry, but [math]ln(m - n) \neq ln \left ( \dfrac{m}{n} \right )[/math].

[math]ln \left ( \dfrac{m}{n} \right ) = ln(m) - ln(n)[/math]

@Llwewllyn:
Neither [math]ln \left ( \dfrac{m}{n} \right)[/math] nor [math]\dfrac{ln(m)}{ln(n)}[/math] are equal to [math]ln(m - n)[/math]. Unless we are using some kind of approximation there is no way to rewrite [math]ln(m - n)[/math] in general.

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
Sorry, but [math]ln(m - n) \neq ln \left ( \dfrac{m}{n} \right )[/math].

[math]ln \left ( \dfrac{m}{n} \right ) = ln(m) - ln(n)[/math]

@Llwewllyn:
Neither [math]ln \left ( \dfrac{m}{n} \right)[/math] nor [math]\dfrac{ln(m)}{ln(n)}[/math] are equal to [math]ln(m - n)[/math]. Unless we are using some kind of approximation there is no way to rewrite [math]ln(m - n)[/math] in general.

-Dan

Send me to the woodshed! I misplaced my parentheses.
 
mrtwhs said:
$$\ln(m-n) = \ln \left( \dfrac{m}{n} \right) \neq \dfrac{\ln m}{\ln n}$$

You mean
$$\ln(m-n) \neq \ln \left( \dfrac{m}{n} \right) = \dfrac{\ln m}{\ln n}$$
 
Olinguito said:
You mean
$$\ln(m-n) \neq \ln \left( \dfrac{m}{n} \right) = \dfrac{\ln m}{\ln n}$$

Or rather $$\ln(m-n) \neq \ln \left( \dfrac{m}{n} \right) \neq \dfrac{\ln m}{\ln n}$$

-Dan
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K