WORD PROBLEMS INVOLVING LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

PROBLEM 1The Richter scale

r , used in measuring the magnitude of an earthquake, is

defined by the formula

r=log

I
I 0 , where

is the intensity of the earthquake, and

What is the magnitude on the

times as intense as the

Richte r ' s Scale

I0

is the standard intensity.

1,000

of an earthquake which is

standard one?

I =1,000 I 0

ANSWER:

log

I
I0

log

1,000 I 0
I0

log 1,000

PROBLEM 2The intensity of a sound in decibels or commonly known as loudness is given by the
formula

d=10 log
I0

I
I0 ,

where

is the intensity of the sound being measured, and

is the intensity of a

standard sound that can be barely heard.

a. Find the rating of a normal voice which is

12,000

times as intense as the

standard one.
b. A normal human hearing can be damaged or lost due to prolonged exposure to
prolonged exposure sound with intensity above 85 decibels. A person who is
exposed to prolonged firecracker launch with an average intensity of

2.5 10

times as intense as the standard will experience harm or damaged hearing. Find
the intensity of the sound produced by a firecracker launch.
Answ
er

a.

I =12,000 I 0
d

b.

10 log

10 log

2.5 10 I 0
I0

10 log2.5 103

I
10 log
I0
d

10 log

I
I0

12,000 I 0
I0

10 log12,000
d

40.79

WORD PROBLEMS INVOLVING LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

PROBLEM 1The Richter scale
defined by the formula

r , used in measuring the magnitude of an earthquake, is

r=log

I
I 0 , where

is the intensity of the earthquake, and

'

Richte r s Scale

What is the magnitude on the

times as intense as the

I0

is the standard intensity.

1,000

of an earthquake which is

standard one?

I =1,000 I 0

ANSWER:

log

I
I0

log

1,000 I 0
I0

log 1,000

PROBLEM 2The intensity of a sound in decibels or commonly known as loudness is given by the
formula

d=10 log
I0

I
I0 ,

where

is the intensity of the sound being measured, and

is the intensity of a

standard sound that can be barely heard.

c. Find the rating of a normal voice which is

12,000

times as intense as the

standard one.
d. A normal human hearing can be damaged or lost due to prolonged exposure to
prolonged exposure sound with intensity above 85 decibels. A person who is
exposed to prolonged firecracker launch with an average intensity of

2.5 103

times as intense as the standard will experience harm or damaged hearing. Find
the intensity of the sound produced by a firecracker launch.
Answ
er

a.

I =12,000 I 0
d

b.

10 log

I
I0

I
10 log
I0

10 log

10 log

12,000 I 0
I0

2.5 103 I 0
I0

10 log2.5 103

10 log12,000

40.79

PROBLEM 3Suppose cells of certain respiratory virus follow the basic formula for cell duplication

f ( t )=2t ,

f (t)

where

is the number of virus cells after

hours.

a. Determine the number of cells of the respiratory virus after 5 hours.

b. How long would it take for the cells to reach a million?
ANSWER:

a.

f (5)

b.

f ( t )=2t
f ( n )=log 2 n

number of cells

25

32

number of cells is a function of time

time elapsed is a function of

f (1,000,000)

log 2 1,000,000

19.932

hours
SEATWORK
1. A whisper is

125

times the standard intensity of sound. Find the decibel rating of a

whisper.
2. If the decibel rating of hard metal rock music is approximately

120

decibels , compare

its intensity to standard intensity.

3. The depreciation value

where

DV

DV =P(1+r )n ,

for machinery is given by the relation

represents the original amount,

is the rate of depreciation, and

is the

length of time for the original amount to reach in depreciation value. How long will it take
for a printing machine originally valued at
constant rate of

10

Php250,000

to depreciate to

Php50,000

at a

per annum?

4. A certain radioactive substance decays 10% of the original amount every day.
a. If this substance has an initial amount of 100 grams, how much of it will be left after
2 days?
b. If there is a remaining 25 grams of this substance, how many hours have elapsed
from an initial amount of 200 grams?
5. The half-life of a certain element is 5 days.
a. If there is an initial amount of 1000 grams, how much will be left after 12 days?
b. If there is an initial amount of 150 grams, how many days will it take to have a
remaining of 100 grams?

PROBLEM 3Suppose cells of certain respiratory virus follow the basic formula for cell duplication

f ( t )=2t ,

f (t)

where

is the number of virus cells after

hours.

c. Determine the number of cells of the respiratory virus after 5 hours.

d. How long would it take for the cells to reach a million?
ANSWER:

a.

f (5)

b.

f ( t )=2

32

number of cells is a function of time

f ( n )=log 2 n

time elapsed is a function of

number of cells

f (1,000,000)

log 2 1,000,000

19.932

hours
SEATWORK
1. A whisper is

125

times the standard intensity of sound. Find the decibel rating of a

whisper.
2. If the decibel rating of hard metal rock music is approximately

120

decibels , compare

its intensity to standard intensity.

3. The depreciation value
where

DV

for machinery is given by the relation

represents the original amount,

DV =P(1+r )n ,

is the rate of depreciation, and

is the

length of time for the original amount to reach in depreciation value. How long will it take
for a printing machine originally valued at
constant rate of

10

per annum?

Php250,000

to depreciate to

Php50,000

at a

4. A certain radioactive substance decays 10% of the original amount every day.
a. If this substance has an initial amount of 100 grams, how much of it will be left after
2 days?
b. If there is a remaining 25 grams of this substance, how many hours have elapsed
from an initial amount of 200 grams?
5. The half-life of a certain element is 5 days.
a. If there is an initial amount of 1000 grams, how much will be left after 12 days?
b. If there is an initial amount of 150 grams, how many days will it take to have a
remaining of 100 grams?