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Dr-NiKoN
Nov2-04, 04:02 PM
Say you have:
\frac{\log(x)}{r\log{x}} = y

r and y can be any given number.

Is there any way to solve this for x?

ie

\frac{\log(x)}{1.6\log{x}} = 20

I'm getting this because I'm trying to calculate f(x) = \frac{x}{a} where f(x) is of the form f(x) = cx^r
a > 1

marlon
Nov2-04, 04:12 PM
Say you have:
\frac{\log(x)}{r\log{x}} = y

r and y can be any given number.

Is there any way to solve this for x?

ie

\frac{\log(x)}{1.6\log{x}} = 20

I'm getting this because I'm trying to calculate f(x) = \frac{x}{a} where f(x) is of the form f(x) = cx^r
a > 1

I don't get this, sorry. correct me if i am wrong here but i have :

\frac {\log(x)}{r\log(x)} = y but doesn't the left hand side yield
\frac {1}{r} ???

i am missing the point here...you sure about this equation ????

marlon

Dr-NiKoN
Nov2-04, 04:19 PM
Well, I'm trying to find x for f(x) = \frac{x}{a}

where f is of the form cx^r

I tried setting x = cx^r and taking the log to find x.

I was wondering if it was possible to find x that way, or maybe if there is another way?

marlon
Nov2-04, 04:29 PM
cx^r = \frac {x}{a}
cx^r - \frac {x}{a} = 0
x * (cx^{r-1} - \frac {1}{a}) = 0
cx^{r-1} = \frac {1}{a} if x is not 0
x^{r-1} = \frac {1}{ca} if x is not 0
x = \sqrt [r - 1] {\frac {1}{ca}} if x is not 0


marlon

marlon
Nov2-04, 05:23 PM
what do you say about that ???

marlon

Dr-NiKoN
Nov2-04, 05:41 PM
Hm, there must be a more elegant way?

marlon
Nov2-04, 05:48 PM
trust me , this is the most easy way out. working with log will make you go around in circles

marlon

Dr-NiKoN
Nov2-04, 06:59 PM
Hehe, ok, works for me.

I'm finding myself confused looking for the more complex ways to solve stuff, when regular math will do the job. Oh well :)

thanks a lot.

matt grime
Nov3-04, 06:44 AM
If you did your logs properly it would also drop out:

cx^r=x/a

then, assuming x and every thing else for that matter, is positive,

logc + rlogx = logx - loga

(r-1)logx= -loga - log c

log x = -log(ac) * 1/(r-1)

or x = (ac)^{1/(1-r)

exactly as marlon showed without needing to use logs.