Question

Find t in the equation: 1/2=(0.87)^t

Answer 1

simple
it asks for what value of t , .87^t gives 1/2

Answer 2

for t=5 we get 4.9 approx .5=1/2

Answer 3

its .49

Answer 4

take the natural log of both sides, then divide both sides by ln(0.87) to get t = ln(1/2)/ln(0.87)

Answer 5

I'm new to this kind of maths, I was wondering what the In means in your final answer?

Answer 6

it means the natural log. the natural log is the inverse of the exponential function, y = e^x.

Answer 7

Thankyou!

Answer 8

it seems you have not discussed ln yet? you can also change it to logarithmic form (which im sure you are familiar with)

\[a^x = b \rightarrow \log_a b = x\] so in this case, we change it to logarithmic form... \[\Large\log_{\frac{1}{2}} (0.87) = t\] which can then be solved by calculator. "ln" is commonly done in calculus so i assume that's why @aravindg used it