Question

The intensity levels of two people's speech are 61.5 dB and 64.0 dB, respectively. What is the intensity level of the combined sounds?

Answer 1

Intensity level of first person's speech = ₁ = 61.5 dB

Intensity level of second person's speech = ₂ = 64 dB

Intensity of sound of first person's speech = I₁

Intensity of sound of second person's speech = I₂

I₁ = 1.412 x 10^-6 W/m²

I₂ = 2.512 x 10^-6 W/m²

Total intensity of sound due to both people's speech = I₃

I₃ = I₁ + I₂

I₃ = 1.412x10^-6 + 2.512x10^-6

I₃ = 3.924 x 10^-6 W/m²

Intensity level due to both people's speech = ₃

₃ = 65.94 dB

Intensity level of the combined sounds = 65.94 dB