Question

If 1.04 = 2 to the power of 1/j, how do I calcate j ? i know the answer should be 17.7

Answer 1

Explanation:

Follow these steps. First let's look at the problem:

`1.04=2^{(1)/(j)}`

Multiply each side by j/1:

`1.04^{(j)/(1)} =2^{(1)/(j) *(j)/(1)}`

which simplifies to

`1.04^j=2`

Now take the natural log of both sides:

`ln(1.04)^j=ln(2)`

The power rule says that we can bring the exponent down in front of the natural log:

(j) ln(1.04) = ln(2) and then divide both sides by ln(1.04)

Do the division on your calculator to get that j = 17.7