Hopefully a simple exponent question.

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In summary, the conversation is about solving for x in the equation 1.00062142^x = 4. The person is unsure of how to solve it and asks for an explanation rather than just the answer. It is mentioned that logs are needed for a general solution, but the person was able to find an approximate answer using a calculator.
  • #1
EngineeredVision
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Hey guys,

It's been a while since I've even done simple exponent-based math.

I'm trying to solve for x where 1.00062142^x = 4

I realize that this could also be written as the X root of 4 = 1.00062142 but this doesn't help me either because I don't know how to solve for it either way. I'd really appreciate an explanation for how this is solved as opposed to just giving me the answer for X.

This doesn't require Logs does it?

Sorry for such a stupid question. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
 
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  • #2
EngineeredVision said:
This doesn't require Logs does it?

Yep, it's easy with logs and difficult/impossible without.
 
  • #3
Yes, it requires logs. Or, if you're just looking for an approximate answer, you can just try values until you hone in on it.

I just did this for 5 minutes and came up with the integer part of the solution just by playing with Windows calculator.

If you want to solve general, more difficult problems, you'll need to learn logs.
 
Last edited:

FAQ: Hopefully a simple exponent question.

What is an exponent?

An exponent is a mathematical notation that signifies the number of times a number, called the base, is multiplied by itself. It is usually written as a superscript to the right of the base number.

How do I solve an exponent question?

To solve an exponent question, you need to use the exponent rules. If the exponent is positive, you multiply the base number by itself the number of times indicated by the exponent. If the exponent is negative, you take the reciprocal of the base number and then raise it to the positive value of the exponent. If the exponent is 0, the answer is always 1.

What is the difference between a base number and an exponent?

The base number is the number that is being multiplied by itself, while the exponent is the number that indicates how many times the base number is being multiplied.

Can exponents be negative?

Yes, exponents can be negative. A negative exponent indicates that the base number should be taken as the reciprocal of the positive exponent. It is equivalent to dividing 1 by the base number raised to the positive exponent.

How do I know if I need to use the exponent rules?

If an expression has a number written as a superscript, it is an indication that the exponent rules need to be used to solve the question. If there is no superscript, then the expression is just a regular multiplication or division problem.

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