Clarifying Equation Rewriting Method

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around rewriting an equation involving exponential and logarithmic functions, specifically focusing on the equation 0.5p_{ss}=p_{ss}(1-e^{\frac{Lp}{Ix}t}). Participants are exploring the implications of logarithmic properties in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to rewrite the equation and questions the correctness of their logarithmic manipulation. Some participants seek clarification on the intended goal of rewriting the equation, whether it is to solve for a specific variable or to simplify the expression. Others raise concerns about the application of logarithmic properties and suggest alternative approaches to the problem.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing guidance on how to manipulate the equation further. There is an ongoing exploration of different interpretations of the equation and its components, particularly regarding the logarithmic steps involved.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted discrepancy between the original poster's manipulation of the equation and the notes received, particularly concerning the presence of a negative sign in the logarithmic expression. The goal of solving for the variable t is explicitly stated, but the steps to achieve this remain unclear to some participants.

Pietair
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Good day.

I want to rewrite the following equation:
[tex]0.5p_{ss}=p_{ss}(1-e^{\frac{Lp}{Ix}t})[/tex]

What I do is:
[tex]ln(0.5)=ln(1)-ln(e^{\frac{Lp}{Ix}t})[/tex]
[tex]ln(0.5)=-{\frac{Lp}{Ix}t}[/tex]

Though in the notes received it says:
[tex]ln(0.5)={\frac{Lp}{Ix}t}[/tex] (without the minus sign)

Am I doing something wrong?
 
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So you mean you have 0.5pss= pss(1- e((Lp/Ix)t)) and you want to "rewrite the equation"? Rewrite it how? Solve the equation for pss or perhaps Lp or Ix or t?

You then have ln(0.5)= ln(1)- ln(e((Lp/Ix)t)). How did you get that? Not by taking the logarithm of both sides of the first equation. That would be ln(0.5p)= ln(pss(1- e[sup[(Lp/Ix)t)[/sup]) which reduces to ln(0.5)+ ln(p)=ln(p)+ ln(1- e((Lp/Ix)t)) and the "ln(p)" terms cancel to give ln(0.5)= ln(1- e((Lp/Ix)t)) but ln(1- e((Lp/Ix)t)) is NOT ln(1)- ln(e((Lp)/Ix)t)): in general ln(a- b) is NOT ln(a)- ln(b). If I new HOW you were trying to "rewrite" the equation, I might be able to suggest reducing before you take the logarithm.
 


Thank you for your answer, I want to solve the equation for t.

0.5pss= pss(1- e((Lp/Ix)t))

Is the same as:
0.5= 1- e((Lp/Ix)t)

Isn't it?

I don't know how to continue to solve the equation for t...
 


Add -1 to both sides, multiply both sides by -1, and then take the natural log of both sides.
 


That makes sense, thanks a lot!
 

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