Question

How do you solve `20=50(1.04)^x`?

Answer 1

-23.36241894

The answer can be rounded up according to the requirements

Explanation:

`20 = 50(1.04)^x`

Step 1: Isolate the term containing the exponent to one side of the equation. This is achieved by dividing both sides by 50.

`20/50 = (1.04)^x`
`0.4 = (1.04)^x`

Step 2: in order to solve for "x" we have to use the power rule of logarithms i.e. `log(A^n) = nlog(A)` note you can use ln( ) or log( ) depending on your choice.

Let us take log to the base 10.

`log(0.4) = log(1.04)^x`
`log(0.4) = xlog(1.04)`

Step 3: Divide both sides by log (1.04).
`log(0.4)/log(1.04) = x`

`x=-23.36241894`