Reduce law y = ax^b to linear form, where a, b are constants

[LukeV]

It is believed that two variables x and y obey the law y = ax[sup:2n4c7ols]b[/sup:2n4c7ols], where a and b are constants. Reduce this equation to linear form and explain how the constants a and b can be found.

Not sure if I am over complicating things but I can't seem to get it into the proper form. Am I wrong to assume that I must use logs to obtain the linear equation?

log y = log a + b log x, is the furthest I've gotten. Is that enough or am I missing something?

Thanks.

 

[Loren]

Maybe I'm missing something, but if b = 1, it is already in linear form. If b is not = 1 it is not a straight line.

 

[LukeV]

I am not told that b = 1, only that it is a constant.

 

[stapel]

Am I wrong to assume that I must use logs to obtain the linear equation?

You're quite right, but the process involves some substitutions, etc, which should have been covered in class and / or in your book. :shock:

Since this topic was not taught before this assignment, you'll need to do some online studying. Fortunately, the process is fairly straightfoward, and there are plenty of online lessons available. :wink:

. . . . .Google results for "linearizing exponential data"

Have fun!

Eliz.