How to solve for x in this problem

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The discussion centers on finding an exact solution for x in the equation x=c-N^{-\left(\frac{1+x}{1-x}\right)}. Participants suggest using the Lambert W function, with one user attempting a variable substitution to simplify the equation. Despite efforts to rearrange the equation into a suitable form for applying the Lambert W function, the user encounters difficulties and expresses uncertainty about the feasibility of finding an explicit solution. The conversation highlights the distinction between having a symbolic representation like W and the necessity of numerical computation for evaluation. Ultimately, no explicit solution in terms of the W function is found, even with assistance from computational tools.
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what's the general solution for x in the following equation

x=c-N^{-\left(\frac{1+x}{1-x}\right)}

i could solve using numerical methods , but i need an exact-explicit solution .
 
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Looks like you'll need Lambert's W, then.
 
You could substitute the brakets with x by a new variable and then try to rearrange until you can apply
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/LambertW-Function.html
In the end this new function is just like numeric. But at least you have a name for it ;)
 
Gerenuk said:
You could substitute the brakets with x by a new variable and then try to rearrange until you can apply
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/LambertW-Function.html
In the end this new function is just like numeric. But at least you have a name for it ;)

thanks for the reply .. i tried this :
substitute

y=\frac{1+x}{1-x}then

N^{-y}=c-\frac{y-1}{y+1}

or

(y+1)N^{-y}=(c-1)y+(c+1)

but then i got a mental block ... i don't know how to transform the problem into the form :

A(N,c)=B(x) e^{B(x)}
 
i managed to reduce the problem down to the form :

z^{(z-A)}=B

again , I'm stuck !
 
Hmm, maybe it's not doable with that function alone. I only get
<br /> W(x)=Ax+B<br />
But anyway, what's the difference between numerics and knowing an expression with W? W has to be computed numerically anyway (just like sin, cos and all other functions).
 
\pi has to be computed numerically too but we still allow it a symbol for convenience. And I would much rather sin(2) over a numerical approximation for it, even though if anyone wanted to evaluate sin(2) they would end up with an approximation anyway.

I also couldn't find a solution in terms of the W function. I checked with Wolfram and it too couldn't find one.
 
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