Basic question on order of operations

[Horton]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and would really appreciate your help (I'm a few good years post college and need a bit of help in brushing up on my algebra) . In the following function :

X= a+(Ln(b)^c)

should I first calculate Ln(b), and then raise what I'm getting to the power of c
Or should I first raise b to the power of c and only then apply Ln ?

Thanks so much for your help!

Horton

 

[stapel]

In the following function :

X= a+(Ln(b)^c)

should I first calculate Ln(b), and then raise what I'm getting to the power of c
Or should I first raise b to the power of c and only then apply Ln ?

The formatting is ambiguous, so I don't know that "the" intended meaning can be discerned. Are there any similar expressions in your book's worked examples? Because that would be the best determiner of what your book means.

Otherwise, if I were you, I'd shoot an e-mail to the instructor, asking for clarification.

 

[HallsofIvy]

If it were intended that you first calculate b^c then find the logarithm, it would have been written "ln(b^c)". The fact that the parentheses are around b only means that the logarithm is to be applied to b only. I agree, though, that the notation is awkward and ambiguous. Better would have been (ln(b))^c.

 

[stapel]

...the notation is awkward and ambiguous. Better would have been (ln(b))^c.

Or, in the standard notation, written as:

. . . . .\(\displaystyle \ln^c(b)\)