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Mathematics 16 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

How do I simplify this expression: 10^(log500)? Is it: log(500^10) on the calculator?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

\(\log(x)\) and \(10^x\) are inverse functions, which means \[\log(10^x)=x\] and \[10^{\log(x)}=x\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

or in english, \(\log(500)\) is the number you would raise ten to, to get 500 therefore it must be the case that \(10^{\log(500)}=500\)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

wait how is log(x) an inverse of 10^x, sorry for the late reply D:

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

you can see this is the case as follows. lets say:\[\log_{10}a=b\implies a=10^b\]agreed?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

and I agree.

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

ok, so we can then say:\[10^{\log_{10}a}=10^b\]agreed?

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

since we said:\[\log_{10}a=b\]

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

but we also showed that:\[10^b=a\]therefore:\[10^{\log_{10}a}=10^b=a\]

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

hope that makes sense?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

yes oh..

OpenStudy (anonymous):

thank you! :D

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

so in general we can say:\[b^{\log_bx}=x\]

OpenStudy (asnaseer):

yw :)

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