Starting with the claim >! $$ 4^{5^9} > 5^{6^8} $$ We have >! $$ \iff 5^9\ln4 > 6^8\ln5 $$ >! $$ \iff \frac{5^9}{6^8} > \frac{\ln5}{\ln4} = 1.161 $$ >! $$ \iff 6\times(5/6)^9 > \frac{\ln5}{\ln4} $$ >! $$ \iff \ln(6)+9\ln(5/6) > \ln\frac{\ln5}{\ln4} $$ >! Using $\ln x = - \ln(1/x)$, >! $$ \iff \frac{\ln6 - \ln\frac{\ln5}{\ln4}}{\ln(6/5)} > 9 $$ Using the hints we have >! $$ \frac{\ln5}{\ln4} = 1.161 $$ >! $$ \ln(4) = 2\ln(2) = 2\times0.6931 $$ >! $$ \ln(6) = \ln(2)+\ln(3) = 0.6931+1.0986 = 1.7917 $$ >! $$ \ln(1.161) = \ln(1+0.161) < 0.161 - 0.161^2/2 + 0.161^3/3 = 0.1494 $$ >! $$ \ln(6) = 1.7917 $$ >! $$ \ln(6/5) = \ln(6)-\ln(5) = 1.7917 - 1.6094 = 0.1823 $$ we get that the claim >! $$ \iff (1.7917 - 0.1494)/0.1823 > 9$$ >! $$ \iff 9.0087 > 9$$ which is true