Can somebody help me with a log problem?

Question

I need help on a problem for my College Algebra class.

An earthquake was recorded which was 19,953 time more powerful than a reference level zero earthquake. What is the magnitude of this earthquake on the Richter scale? Intensity in the Richter scale is log (I/Io). ( the base is 10)

I know how to do logs but I do not understand the equation. What is I and what is Io.

Thank You!

Answer 1

I is the intensity of the earthquake and Io is the intensity of the reference. So, I/Io = 19953 and log 19953 will be the magnitude on the Richter scale. A little more than 4 (may be 4.3?)

Answer 2

question a million) .. a million/2 log(n) + 3 log(m) = log( n^(a million/2) ) + log( m^(3) ) = log( n^(a million/2) m^(3) ) question 2) .. a million/2 log(a) - log(2) = log( a^(a million/2) ) - log(2) = log( a^(a million/2) / 2 )