# If Z = X times Y, then Z-hat equals X-hat plus Y-hat?

#### Random Guy

##### New member
First of all, I don't know if this is "beginning algebra" or not. I am posting the question in this sub-forum because I don't know where else to post it.

In my economics textbook, the following note is given:

2 To accomplish this transformation, we apply the rule that, if $$\displaystyle \, Z\, =\, X\, \times\, Y,\,$$ then $$\displaystyle \, \hat{Z}\, =\, \hat{X}\, +\, \hat{Y},\,$$ where a hat (^) indicates a variable's growth rate.

3 Mathematical Note: Define
$$\displaystyle \, X\,$$ as the composite factors of production:

. . . . .$$\displaystyle X\, =\, k^{\alpha}\, h^{1-\alpha}$$

Taking natural logarithms of this equation,

. . . . .$$\displaystyle \ln(X)\, =\, \alpha\, \times\, \ln(k)\, +\, (1\, -\, \alpha)\, \times\, \ln(h)$$

Differentiating with respect to time yields

. . . . .$$\displaystyle \hat{X}\, =\, \alpha \hat{k}\, +\, (1\, -\, \alpha) \hat{h}$$

This seems intuitive enough, but I am having difficulty actually "proving" it in my mind. For example, assume that Z = 24, X = 4, and Y = 6. Then, assume that BOTH X and Y were increased by 50 percent, so that X2 = 6 and Y2 = 9. Since both X and Y were increased by 50 percent, both X-hat and Y-hat would equal 0.5, which is the growth rate. However, given that X2 = 6 and Y2 = 9, Z2 = 54, which would mean that Z-hat = 1.25, because (54-24)/24. This does not make sense, because X-hat plus Y-hat equals 1.0, which does not match 1.25 (which is the "real" growth rate).

I am sure I am making some major mistake here, but I can't figure out what it is.

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#### Random Guy

##### New member
Anyone have any pointers?