SOLUTION: I am trying to convert 2^X=Y (2 to the X power)so that X is on one side of the equation. Even if we know what Y is, I cant for the life of me figure out how to get the unknown rati

Question 773909: I am trying to convert 2^X=Y (2 to the X power)so that X is on one side of the equation. Even if we know what Y is, I cant for the life of me figure out how to get the unknown rational decimal exponent on one side of the equation.
I am trying to make a formula for my spreadsheet that will take in the number of lottery tickets I buy (Y) and figure out to what the exact odds are that I would win.
Example: Odds with 1 ticket are 1:1,000,000, so 2 tickets are 1:500,000, 4 tickets are 1:250,000 and 8 tickets are 1:125,000 and so on.
I am trying to figure out a formula so I can enter in 40 tickets and the formula gives me the 2^X power value and then I use that X value to manipulate the odds to see what the odds are for said Y tickets.
Am barking up the wrong tree with decimal exponents? Should I be looking in Statistics or something? please help me get in the right direction. Thank you.
Patrick Barry
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It sounds like you want to solve 2^x = 40 for x

If so, then

2^x = 40

log(2^x) = log(40) ... apply the log function to both sides

x*log(2) = log(40)

x = log(40)/log(2)

x = 5.32192809488737 ... use a calculator to evaluate

Let me know if this is what you're looking for
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