Math Is Fun Forum
  Discussion about math, puzzles, games and fun.   Useful symbols: ÷ × ½ √ ∞ ≠ ≤ ≥ ≈ ⇒ ± ∈ Δ θ ∴ ∑ ∫ • π ƒ -¹ ² ³ °

Login

Username

Password

Not registered yet?

#1 2013-02-26 07:33:05

genericname
Full Member

Offline

Log question

(2*(n/2)*lg(n/2)) + n

= (n*lg(n/2))+n

= n*(lg n - 1) + n

How does (n*lg(n/2))+n simplify to n*(lg n - 1) + n? What happened to the n/2 that was inside? It has been a while since I last worked with log.

#2 2013-02-26 07:50:27

bobbym
Administrator

Offline

Re: Log question

Hi;

Is this the problem?

Last edited by bobbym (2013-02-26 07:51:47)


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
I am willing to wager that over 75% of the new words that appeared were nothing more than spelling errors that caught on.

#3 2013-02-26 07:58:06

genericname
Full Member

Offline

Re: Log question

Yeah.

#4 2013-02-26 09:10:06

bobbym
Administrator

Offline

Re: Log question

I am getting:

Last edited by bobbym (2013-02-26 09:10:52)


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
I am willing to wager that over 75% of the new words that appeared were nothing more than spelling errors that caught on.

#5 2013-02-26 12:40:36

anonimnystefy
Real Member

Offline

Re: Log question

Hi genericname

lg(a/b)=lg(a)-lg(b) for any a and b for which the expression is defined.

So, lg(n/2)=lg(n)-lg(2)=lg(n)-1, assuming the logarithm is with base 2.


The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón

#6 2013-02-26 13:27:50

bobbym
Administrator

Offline

Re: Log question

Why would the log be to the base two?


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
I am willing to wager that over 75% of the new words that appeared were nothing more than spelling errors that caught on.

#7 2013-02-26 13:41:10

anonimnystefy
Real Member

Offline

Re: Log question

Because then the step makes sense. We will have have to wait for the OP's answer.

And besides, the use of n and lg reminds me of comp. analysis.

Last edited by anonimnystefy (2013-02-26 13:42:40)


The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón

#8 2013-02-26 15:31:10

bobbym
Administrator

Offline

Re: Log question

A very good answer!


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
90% of mathematicians do not understand 90% of currently published mathematics.
I am willing to wager that over 75% of the new words that appeared were nothing more than spelling errors that caught on.

#9 2013-02-27 02:44:16

genericname
Full Member

Offline

Re: Log question

Ah, thank you. It was base 2, sorry for the confusion.

#10 2013-02-27 05:19:58

anonimnystefy
Real Member

Offline

Re: Log question

No problem and you're welcome!


The limit operator is just an excuse for doing something you know you can't.
“It's the subject that nobody knows anything about that we can all talk about!” ― Richard Feynman
“A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Board footer

Powered by FluxBB