# Thread: Need help with the setting up the intial equation

1. ## Need help with the setting up the intial equation

Richter Scale equation: $logE= 4.4 + 1.5M$

Suppose that the magnitudes of two earthquakes differ by 1 on the Richter Scale. Find the ratio of the released energy of the larger earthquake to that of the smaller earthquake.

2. Originally Posted by vinson24
Richter Scale equation: $logE= 4.4 + 1.5M$

Suppose that the magnitudes of two earthquakes differ by 1 on the Richter Scale. Find the ratio of the released energy of the larger earthquake to that of the smaller earthquake.

if I understand the question

first magnitude energy let it be

$\log E_1 = 4.4 1.5M$

natural log have the base 10 $\log_{10} E_1 = 4.4 + 1.5M$

so $E_1 = 10^{4.4 + 1.5M}$

second magnitude

$\log_{10} E_2 = 4.4 + 1.5(M+1)$

$E_2 = 10^{4.4 + 1.5(M+1)}$

$\frac{E_2}{E_1} = \frac{10^{4.4 + 1.5M + 1.5}}{10^{4.4+1.5M}}$

$\frac{E_2}{E_1} = \frac{10^{4.4}\cdot 10^{1.5M}\cdot 10^{1.5}}{10^{4.4}\cdot 10^{1.5M}} = 10^{1.5}$