View Full Version : Finding a constant
Is it possible to find a constant value for b in the following equality for any value of x?
b^{x}(\ln b) = a^x
BerkMath
Dec2-05, 05:31 PM
what is a? Is it given? If so, in what field is it an element.
a can be any value, so the real question is to find b in relationship to a, independantly of x.
HallsofIvy
Dec2-05, 06:21 PM
Since you didn't answer the question "in what field is it an element?" I assume this is in the real numbers.
b^{x}(\ln b) = a^x
Taking ln of both sides:
ln(b^x ln b)= ln b^x + ln b= xln b+ ln b= x ln a
so
x(ln a- ln b)= x ln\frac{a}{b}= ln b
That will be "independent of x" if and only if
ln \frac{a}{b}= 0
or
a= b= 1.
I think you made a mistake
You're development:
\ln(b^x \ln b)= \ln b^x + \ln b
When it should be
\ln(b^x \ln b)= \ln b^x + \ln(\ln b)
CRGreathouse
Dec2-05, 08:44 PM
Is it possible to find a constant value for b in the following equality for any value of x?
b^{x}(\ln b) = a^x
Suppose a,b\in\mathbb{R}^+. If b^x\ln b=a^x then we have
x\ln b+\ln\ln b=x\ln a
or
\ln\ln b=x(\ln a-\ln b).
If a\neq b then this will not hold for all x\in\mathbb{R}. Then we have a=b and \ln\ln b=0. This means the unique solution is a=b=e.
Does that mean that the function a^x has no integral function if a is not equal to e?
HallsofIvy
Dec3-05, 10:03 AM
Does that mean that the function a^x has no integral function if a is not equal to e?
???
a^x= e^{ln a^x}= e^{x ln a}
so the anti-derivative (I guess that's what you mean by "integral function") is
[tex]\frac{e^{x ln a}}{ln a}= \frac{a^x}{ln a}[/itex].
Yes, werg22. Thanks for the correction.
vBulletin® v3.7.6, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.