SOLUTION: On June 23, 2001, an earthquake in Arequipa, Peru, measured 8.1 on Richter scale. A quake that measured 7.6 occurred in Mexico on January 22, 2003. How many times more energy was r

Algebra ->  Exponential-and-logarithmic-functions -> SOLUTION: On June 23, 2001, an earthquake in Arequipa, Peru, measured 8.1 on Richter scale. A quake that measured 7.6 occurred in Mexico on January 22, 2003. How many times more energy was r      Log On


   

Question 551601: On June 23, 2001, an earthquake in Arequipa, Peru, measured 8.1 on Richter scale. A quake that measured 7.6 occurred in Mexico on January 22, 2003. How many times more energy was released by the quake in Peru. Energy in joules=1.74x10^(5+1.44*R), where R is the Richter scale magnitude.
Answer by fcabanski(1391) About Me  (Show Source):
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The Peru quake released 1.74*10(5+1.44*8.1) = 1.74*10^16.664


The Mexico quake released 1.74*10^(5+1.44*7.6) = 1.75 * 10 15.944


To find how many more times one number is than another, divide the numbers. For example if the numbers are 4 and 6, then 6 is 6/4 = 1.5 times 4.


Remember that when dividing the same number to different powers, subtract the powers.


1.74*10^16.664 / 1.74 * 10^15.944 = 10^(16.664-15.944) = 10^.67 = approximately 4.68 times more energy released by the Peru quake.

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