Hi
I saw this querstion in my book
True or false: 3logx+1 = log10x^3 is an equation
The answer is false. I thought it was true. The book defines an equation as
' the equality of 2 different expressions. The expression is true only for a distinct number of values (or none) of the unknown quantity'
The above is teh equality of 2 expressions so why isnt it an equation?
thanks
This Question has been solved and asker verified All Experts Exchange premium technology solutions are available to subscription members.
Experts Exchange has been collecting answers to technology questions since 1996…3 million and counting! If you have a question, chances are we already have your answer.
If you can't find the exact answer you're looking for, ask our exclusive community of 50,000 experts. You’ll get a personalized answer from a trusted professional.
Thousands of free tech tips, tricks, how-to’s and tutorials are available in our peer reviewed articles section. See for yourself how smart our experts are, no login required.
Save solutions to your questions, answers you’ve discovered through searching plus helpful articles in your personal knowledgebase for easy future access.
Access the answers to your technology questions today.
30-day free trial. Register in 60 seconds.
Members of the expert community talk about why the experience at Experts Exchange is different than what you will find anywhere else.
Try it out and discover for yourself.
30-day free trial. Register in 60 seconds.
Join the community of experts here and help other tech pros by answering question in your area of expertise. You can earn FREE access to all Experts Exchange's premium features and resources.
More concisely:
"the equality of 2 different expressions."
They're not different, they're just rearrangements of the same thing. It's a bit like saying x+1=1+x.
"The expression is true only for a distinct number of values (or none) of the unknown quantity"
As it's merely a rearrangement, your expression is true for ALL x>0, not just for a "distinct number of values".
andieje,
I have been a professional mathematician for a long time, in my book that is an equation. My colleagues at work are of the same opinion. The books definition of an equation seems a home grown one probably from some education faculty some where.
Simply put an equation is symbols either side of an equals sign. As to it leading to a useful equation is a different matter, you example reduces to 0=0 which we know already. But it is still an equation.
Don't let them discourage you with their idiosyncratic definition, maths is really quite straight forward. You better use their definition for the time being though to pass the exams.
Hi
I'm not taking any exams. That's probably why i didn't read the definition of the equation too closely as that is the sort of thing you need in exams and not in daily use of maths.
I was scared of maths when i was younger and it hindered my career as a biochemist as I always avoided the maths routes. So i'm biting the bullet and learning the maths and taking the maths route
Business Accounts
Answer for Membership
by: InteractiveMindPosted on 2009-09-14 at 15:34:56ID: 25329943
Because they're just rearrangements of the same thing. You're not gaining any new information from that statement (it's an 'identity').