Algebra II Should Use Logarithms In School Today

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Algebra II should still be taught in school today because many jobs use logarithms, series and sequences. It may not be obvious at first, but linear equations, rational expressions, and trigonometry are all used in a variety of occupations and needed for skills in daily living. Logarithms are used in measuring the magnitude of earthquakes. The Richter Scale, the scale used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes, is based on a logarithm. The logarithm the Richter Scale uses is R=log(A/A0) (Mathematical Modeling with Exponential and Logarithmic Functions). Without this formula, which is a logarithm, we would not be able to determine the severity of earthquakes. Chemistry uses logarithms as well. In chemistry you use logarithms to identify the pH, or acidity, if a substance. Chemists use the formula pH=-log(H+), which is a logarithm (Mathematical Modeling with Exponential and Logarithmic Functions). Series and sequences are used by financial analysts. Financial analysts use series and sequences when figuring out the behavior of a company’s stocks. They also use this math when predicting how …show more content…

Rational expressions are especially helpful in work equations. For example, you can use rational expressions to solve a problem that is asking how long it will take one person to do a job alone when we know how long it takes a group to get it done like in this problem, Tanya and Cam can each wash a car and vacuum its interior in 2 hours. Pat needs 3 hours to do this same job by himself. If Pat, Cam and Tanya work together, how long will it take them to clean a car? The answer is 45 minutes according to the formula, r=(W/t). Tanya and Cam each have a rate of (1/2) car in one hour, and Pat’s rate is (1/3) car in one hour. Working together, they have a rate of (1/2)+(1/2)+(1/3), or (4/3). W is one car, so the formula becomes (4/3)=(1/t), and so t = (3/4). It takes three-quarters of an hour, or 45 minutes, to clean one

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