# Homework Help: Statistical Physics: very large and very small numbers

1. Jun 10, 2012

### PhysicsGirl90

Working on statistical physics i came across this expression:

p = (1/44)^(10^5) = 10^(-164345)

However TI-83 calculator is unable to verify it (gives answer 0). Can someone tell me how to get from (1/44)^(10^5) to 10^(-164345) analytically?

2. Jun 10, 2012

### BruceW

You are still going to need to use a calculator at some point (their answer of 10^(-164345) is not exact, it has been rounded off). But yes, there is a way to find the answer which the calculator can cope with.

To start with, what is the main difference between the expressions (1/44)^(10^5) and 10^(-164345) ? Like if you wanted to compare the two numbers, what would be the first thing you would do?

3. Jun 10, 2012

### PhysicsGirl90

They have a different base. So if we wanted to compare them we they would both have to have the same base.

4. Jun 10, 2012

### BruceW

exactly. So what can you do to get them both to have the same base?

5. Jun 10, 2012

### PhysicsGirl90

Thank you for your comment Bruce...i figured it out...convert (1/44) to a power of 10 and the rest follows easily.

6. Jun 10, 2012

### PhysicsGirl90

(1/44)^(10^5) = (10^log(1/44))^(10^5)...Thanks for helping me think it through.

7. Jun 10, 2012

### BruceW

yeah, no worries. Glad to have helped :)
The text is a forum thread where a student asks for help with a mathematical problem in statistical physics, and another user provides guidance on how to solve it.
single_question_with_answer
Given a text passage, determine:
    1. If it contains a mathematical question (including word problems or calculations)
    2. If an answer to that mathematical question is provided in the text

First, describe the content structure you found in 1-2 sentences.

Then provide your analysis in the following format:
TYPE: <one of the following values>
- NO_QUESTION
- SINGLE_QUESTION
- SINGLE_QUESTION_WITH_ANSWER
- MULTIPLE_QUESTIONS
- MULTIPLE_QUESTIONS_WITH_ANSWERS
system
# Homework Help: Statistical Physics: very large and very small numbers

1. Jun 10, 2012

### PhysicsGirl90

Working on statistical physics i came across this expression:

p = (1/44)^(10^5) = 10^(-164345)

However TI-83 calculator is unable to verify it (gives answer 0). Can someone tell me how to get from (1/44)^(10^5) to 10^(-164345) analytically?

2. Jun 10, 2012

### BruceW

You are still going to need to use a calculator at some point (their answer of 10^(-164345) is not exact, it has been rounded off). But yes, there is a way to find the answer which the calculator can cope with.

To start with, what is the main difference between the expressions (1/44)^(10^5) and 10^(-164345) ? Like if you wanted to compare the two numbers, what would be the first thing you would do?

3. Jun 10, 2012

### PhysicsGirl90

They have a different base. So if we wanted to compare them we they would both have to have the same base.

4. Jun 10, 2012

### BruceW

exactly. So what can you do to get them both to have the same base?

5. Jun 10, 2012

### PhysicsGirl90

Thank you for your comment Bruce...i figured it out...convert (1/44) to a power of 10 and the rest follows easily.

6. Jun 10, 2012

### PhysicsGirl90

(1/44)^(10^5) = (10^log(1/44))^(10^5)...Thanks for helping me think it through.

7. Jun 10, 2012

### BruceW

yeah, no worries. Glad to have helped :)
user
The text is a forum thread where a student asks for help with a mathematical problem in statistical physics, and another user provides guidance on how to solve it.

TYPE: SINGLE_QUESTION_WITH_ANSWER