Question 430814
The numbers on the Richter scale represent the base 10 logarithm of the measured intensity of an earthquake.<br>
Since the new earthquake is 10 times as large as the 5.2 earthquake, then its intensity has 1 more factor of 10 than the 5.2 earthquake. So its logarithm will be 1 more, i.e. 6.2:
{{{10*10^5.2 = 10^1*10^5.2 = 10^(1+5.2) = 10^6.2}}}<br>
If this doesn't make sense to you then do the following:<ol><li>Use your calculator to find log<sup>-1</sup>(5.2). This will give you the raw number for the intensity of the 5.2 earthquake.</li><li>Multiply the result from step 1 by 10. This will give you the raw number for the new earthquake.</li><li>Find the base 10 log (i.e. "log") of the answer from step 2. This should be 6.2