The Richter magnitude M is given by the model M=I/Idown0) where I is the intensity of the earthquake in 100 km from the epicenter and I down0 is the smallest seismic activity that can be measured. A recent earthquake measured 6.2 on the Richter scale. How many times more intense was this earthquake than an earthquake that measured 5.8 on the Richter scale?

M is proportional to I as M increases Intensity increases and the constant of proportionality we would introduce is 'I down' which is a measure of seismic activity. The assumption here is that this equation holds true in an observable manner of intensity measured 100km from the epicenter.

Let I( at 6.2) and I(at 5.8) represents the intensity at when the magnitude are 6.2 and 5.8 respectively.

Hence when M= 6.2= I/ I down[6.2]

When M=5.8=I/ I down[5.8]

Hence M/I[ at 6.2] =M/|[ at 5.8]

Hence 6.2/I( at 6.2) = 5.8/I ( at 5.8)

[ Assuming that I down is the same in both instances]

Hence 6.2/ 5.8= I( at 6.2)/ I( at 5.8);

Shows by how much the intensity when the magnitude is 6.2 is greater than when it was 5.8