How much brighter will a 4th magnitude star appear than a 6th magnitude star?
A) 2.0 times
B) 6.25 times
C) 16 times
D) 2.5 times
E) 8 times

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The magnitude scale is logarithmic, with a difference of 5 magnitudes corresponding to a brightness factor of 100. Therefore, a difference of 2 magnitudes (from 4th to 6th) corresponds to a brightness factor of 100^(2/5) = 6.25 times.

How Much Brighter Will a 4th Magnitude Star Appear Than