Math problem where graphing calculator may slow you down...

[CR Haeger]

(08-17-2014 10:25 PM)Bunuel66 Wrote:  Well, it seems that a fully analytical solution is rather trivial:

Using the variable transform u=ln(x) the problem reduces to tg(u)=1 whom solutions are:
u=pi/4+k.pi, k in Z.

Then searching u=ln(50) gives the upper bound which is for k=0. The following values are then for k=-1 and -2.

Same solution for degrees but then u=ln(1e20).

Nothing more than a pen, a 'small' paper and the first scientific calculator you can grasp around you (in that case a TI36X pro, shame on me ;-)

Again, Bunuel66, you provided a pretty straightforward analytical solution before reaching for any calculator. BTW, I think the TI36X pro is also pretty straightforward. I should have expected the typical MoHPC users to have no issues with these problems.

I was hoping to illustrate where relying on a graphing/solver calculator might cause confusion to students just learning Trig and/or Logarithms.