Algebra: Is this possible to solve?

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SUMMARY

The equation a = (1 - exp(b/x)) / (1 - exp(c/x)) cannot be solved analytically for general constants b and c. Instead, a numerical solution is necessary. By introducing the substitution y = exp(b/x), the equation can be transformed into y = 1 - a(1 - y^(c/b)), which simplifies the problem but still requires numerical methods for specific values of a, b, and c.

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I came across this type of equation, and somehow I could not figure out how to solve it analytically. I ended up solving it numerically, but now I'm bothered and I want to know if this is possible.

a = (1-exp(b/x) / (1-exp(c/x))

a,b,c, are constants, x is the unknown
 
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It cannot be solved analytically for general numbers b and c.

EDIT:

suppose you introduce a new variable:

[tex] y \equiv \exp\left(\frac{b}{x}\right)[/tex]

Then, for the other exponential, you would have:
[tex] \exp\left(\frac{c}{x}\right) = \exp\left(\frac{c}{b} \, \frac{b}{x}\right) = \left[\exp\left(\frac{b}{x}\right)\right]^{\frac{c}{b}} = y^{c/b}[/tex]

and the equation becomes:

[tex] a = \frac{1 - y}{1 - y^{c/b}}[/tex]

[tex] y = 1 - a ( 1 - y^{c/b})[/tex]
 
Last edited:

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