MHB Help with Exponential Equation

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The discussion focuses on solving the exponential equation (2^x - 2^-x) / (2^x + 2^-x) = 1/3. Participants suggest manipulating the equation by multiplying both sides and cross-multiplying to simplify it into a solvable form. The solution process involves substituting u = 2^x, leading to a quadratic equation that is solved to find u = √2. The final result indicates that x = 1/2, with a note that negative solutions for u are not valid since u represents an exponential function. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly handling the algebraic steps and the implications of the exponential function's properties.
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Could you help me with this questions as well?

View attachment 3751This is what I have done:
2^x - 2^-x/ 2^x +2^-x
2^x - 1/2^x/ 2^x +1/2^x
u -1/u/u+1/u =1/3

3u² - 3/ 3u² +3= U

u² - 1- u = 0
u² - u - 1 =0
(u -1) (u+1) =0
U =1 or -1
 

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I have moved this post to its own thread, as we ask that new questions not be tagged onto existing threads so that our threads do not become convoluted and hard to follow.

We are given to solve:

$$\frac{2^x-2^{-x}}{2^x+2^{-x}}=\frac{1}{3}$$

My first step would be to multiply the left side by:

$$1=\frac{2^x}{2^x}$$

so that the equation becomes:

$$\frac{2^{2x}-1}{2^{2x}+1}=\frac{1}{3}$$

Now, cross-multiply, and solve for $2^{2x}$, and express the other side of the equation as a power of 2 and equate the exponents. What do you find?
 
squexy said:
Could you help me with this questions as well?

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/3751This is what I have done:
2^x - 2^-x/ 2^x +2^-x
2^x - 1/2^x/ 2^x +1/2^x
u -1/u/u+1/u =1/3

3u² - 3/ 3u² +3= U

u² - 1- u = 0
u² - u - 1 =0
(u -1) (u+1) =0
U =1 or -1

(Wave)$$\frac{2^x(2^x-2^{-x})}{2^x(2^x+2^{-x})}=\frac{1}{3} \Rightarrow \frac{4^x-1}{4^x+1}=\frac{1}{3} \Rightarrow 3(4^x-1)=4x+1 \Rightarrow 3 \cdot 4^x-4x=1+3 \Rightarrow 2 \cdot 4^x=4 \Rightarrow 4^x=2 \Rightarrow 2^{2x}=2 \Rightarrow \log_2{2^{2x}}=\log_2 2 \Rightarrow 2x=1 \Rightarrow x=\frac{1}{2}$$
 
squexy said:
Could you help me with this questions as well?

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/3751This is what I have done:
$$\dfrac{2^x - 2^{-x}}{ 2^x +2^{-x}}$$

$$\dfrac{2^x - \frac{1}{2^x}}{2^x +\frac{1}{2^x}}$$[math]\dfrac{u -\frac{1}{u}}{u+\frac{1}{u}} = \dfrac{1}{3}[/math]

$$3u² - 3/ 3u² +3= U$$$$u² - 1- u = 0$$
$$u² - u - 1 =0$$
$$(u -1) (u+1) =0$$

this is not the correct factorisation, if you expand (u-1)(u+1) you get u^2-1[/color]

U =1 or -1
Assuming $$u = 2^x$$

[math]\dfrac{u -\frac{1}{u}}{u+\frac{1}{u}} = \dfrac{1}{3}[/math]

Multiply both sides by [math]u + \frac{1}{u}[/math]

[math]u - \frac{1}{u} = \dfrac{1}{3}\left(u + \frac{1}{u}\right)[/math]

Multiply both sides by [math]u[/math] (and since [math]u > 0[/math] we needn't worry about losing solutions)

[math]u^2 - 1 = \dfrac{1}{3}(u^2 + 1)[/math]

Multiply both sides by 3

[math]3u^2-3 = u^2+1[/math]

From here you should be able to solve for [math]u[/math]



From what I can gather on the RHS you've done

[math]\dfrac{1}{3}(u^2+1) = \dfrac{u^2}{3} + \dfrac{1}{3}[/math] which is allowed and then divided by it which would end up with

[math]\frac{3u^2-3}{\dfrac{u^2}{3} + \dfrac{1}{3}}[/math] which is not the same as you have.$$\frac{3u^2 - 3}{3u^2 +3} = U$$
 
My bad for posting wrong.

Thank you all for the answers.

SuperSonic4 said:
Assuming $$u = 2^x$$

[math]\dfrac{u -\frac{1}{u}}{u+\frac{1}{u}} = \dfrac{1}{3}[/math]

Multiply both sides by [math]u + \frac{1}{u}[/math]

[math]u - \frac{1}{u} = \dfrac{1}{3}\left(u + \frac{1}{u}\right)[/math]

Multiply both sides by [math]u[/math] (and since [math]u > 0[/math] we needn't worry about losing solutions)

[math]u^2 - 1 = \dfrac{1}{3}(u^2 + 1)[/math]

Multiply both sides by 3

[math]3u^2-3 = u^2+1[/math]

From here you should be able to solve for [math]u[/math]



From what I can gather on the RHS you've done

[math]\dfrac{1}{3}(u^2+1) = \dfrac{u^2}{3} + \dfrac{1}{3}[/math] which is allowed and then divided by it which would end up with

[math]\frac{3u^2-3}{\dfrac{u^2}{3} + \dfrac{1}{3}}[/math] which is not the same as you have.$$\frac{3u^2 - 3}{3u^2 +3} = U$$

Is this correct?
3u² - 3 = u² + 1
2u² = 4
u = √ 2

2^x = 2^1/2
x = 1/2
 
squexy said:
My bad for posting wrong.

Thank you all for the answers.
Is this correct?
3u² - 3 = u² + 1
2u² = 4
u = √ 2

2^x = 2^1/2
x = 1/2

It is right (Nod)

But, notice that:

$$u^2=2 \Rightarrow u=\pm \sqrt{2}$$

But since $u=2^x>0$, we reject $u=-\sqrt{2}$.
 
evinda said:
It is right (Nod)

But, notice that:

$$u^2=2 \Rightarrow u=\pm \sqrt{2}$$

But since $u=2^x>0$, we reject $u=-\sqrt{2}$.
If 2^x were smaller than 0 then -√2 would be accepted and √2 woudn´t?
 
squexy said:
If 2^x were smaller than 0 then -√2 would be accepted and √2 woudn´t?

It cannot be that $2^x$ is negative, since it is an exponential function. (Shake)

But, if we would have set for example $u=-2^x$ and we would have $u^2=2$ then we would get $u=\pm \sqrt{2}$ and we would reject the case $u=+\sqrt{2}$, since in this case $u$ is always negative. (Smile)
 
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