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Logarithmic Functions - argh - help please


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Posted

I've been trying hours to do 2 questions for my maths homework. I've got the answer but don't have a clue how to get there. Could someone point me in the right direction please?

 

1) The sketch below shows the graph y=log10 (x+c). Find the value of c.

 

graph13so.jpg

 

2) The sketch below shows the graph y=alog2 (x+b). Find a and b

 

graph24hv.jpg

 

I've worked out b to be 4 (which is right), I just can't get a.

 

 

Answers:

1) 3

2) a= 3 1/3 b= 4

 

 

------

 

Thanks a lot in advance.

Posted
If you have 'b', then you can work out 'a' just by using two values of 'x' and 'y' from the graph.

 

I've got it down to 10=alog2(8).

 

What do you do with the 8 in the brackets? Can you just take it away to get

2= alog2? Then a=log2/2?

 

:confused:

Posted
Is that a log to the base 2?

 

Yeah

 

(You could just do all the working if you want, but I think it would probably be better for me if you just give me pointers...)

Posted
i'm guessing this is the scottish equivalent to A Level work?

 

we do nothing like this at GCSE... though i'm gonna be doing it at A Level ^_^

 

GCSE = Standard Grade (what I did last year)

 

So if A level is the one after GCSE then that is what it is. Highers, they're called. And they're bloody hard.

Posted

Bugger knows.....we only did log to the base e.

 

 

Wait for Odwin methinks. Althoughhe did say he hated pure maths. There was a dude in the Uni thread who said he was doing maths at Uni. Forget his name though.

  • Like 1
Posted
Bugger knows.....we only did log to the base e.

 

 

Wait for Odwin methinks. Althoughhe did say he hated pure maths. There was a dude in the Uni thread who said he was doing maths at Uni. Forget his name though.

 

I hope he drops by in the next 30 mins. This is meant to be in for tomorrow....

Posted

Dude, if you can't do it, then just tell he teacher you can't do it. They can't berate you for something you can't do. Especially if you've tried for two hours.

Posted
Dude, if you can't do it, then just tell he teacher you can't do it. They can't berate you for something you can't do. Especially if you've tried for two hours.

 

Yeah, I wil. At least I've actually tried the question. She just said "there better not be any blanks".

Posted

I think the log10 means it is base 10 so we have:

y = log10 (x+c)

0 = log10 (c -2) [from graph]

10^0 = c-2

1 = c-2 [anything to power of 0 is 1]

1+2 = c

therefore c = 3

 

log2 is log to base 2, so solve simultaneously:

1) 10 = alog2 (4+b)

2) 0 = alog2 (b-3)

we'll work with 2) first:

0/a = log2 (b-3)

0 = log2 (b-3)

2^0 = b-3

1 = b-3

1+3 = b

therefore b = 4

plug b = 4 into 1):

10 = alog2 (4+4)

10 = alog2 (8)

10 = log2 (8^a) [one of the rules, look in your txt bk]

2^10 = 8^a

1024 = 8^a

ln1024/ln8 = 10/3 = 3 1/3

  • Like 3
Posted

Why don't they teach relevant stuff in maths any more? I mean, when are ya gonna use a graph like that? Certainly not buying oranges. Ooooohhh no. You just need good old fashioned arithmetic for that!

Posted

pfff i start maths at uni next week and ive never used logs to the base 2 only to base ten and e

 

Edit: come to think of it i only did log graphs in physics..

Posted
I think the log10 means it is base 10 so we have:

y = log10 (x+c)

0 = log10 (c -2) [from graph]

10^0 = c-2

1 = c-2 [anything to power of 0 is 1]

1+2 = c

therefore c = 3

 

log2 is log to base 2, so solve simultaneously:

1) 10 = alog2 (4+b)

2) 0 = alog2 (b-3)

we'll work with 2) first:

0/a = log2 (b-3)

0 = log2 (b-3)

2^0 = b-3

1 = b-3

1+3 = b

therefore b = 4

plug b = 4 into 1):

10 = alog2 (4+4)

10 = alog2 (8)

10 = log2 (8^a) [one of the rules, look in your txt bk]

2^10 = 8^a

1024 = 8^a

ln1024/ln8 = 10/3 = 3 1/3

 

Thanks. My teacher showed me how to do it today and her way was the same. :)

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