could i have a general method of doing this? like how can we determine whether 3^8>7^5 or something like that.
2006-10-10 17:34:03 · 3 answers · asked by need help! 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
what do you mean, solve? what if i said 142^82 compared with 85^129?
2006-10-10 17:46:12 · update #1
You could try using logs, if you have a calculator handy.
a^b > c^d is equivalent to b log a > d log c, so at least you'd be working with reasonably-sized numbers.
2006-10-10 17:53:06 · answer #1 · answered by James L 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It already looks like it is in a good general form. I would say at this point, plug in numbers and solve.
"what if i said 142^82 compared with 85^129?"
You could here solve to see whether 142^(1/129)>85^(1/82)
However, this is not a good general way of solving. Consider that (1/0) is undefined.
2006-10-11 00:44:58 · answer #2 · answered by Robert B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Taking logs is a good idea, but I would go even further like this
b log a > d log c.
divide both sides by b. if b is negative then change the inequality.
2006-10-11 02:53:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋