How to Solve the Equation [(√2) +1]²¹ = [(√2)-1]*[3+2(√2)]˟ˉ¹ for x?

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SUMMARY

The equation \((\sqrt{2} + 1)^{21} = (\sqrt{2} - 1)(3 + 2\sqrt{2})^{x-1}\) can be solved by first recognizing its general form \(a = b \cdot c^{x-1}\), where \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) are constants derived from the equation. To isolate \(x\), apply logarithmic properties, leading to the formula \(x = \frac{\log(a/b)}{\log(c)} + 1\). However, the solution can also be approached through direct arithmetic in the ring \(Z[\sqrt{2}]\), yielding an exact integer solution without logarithmic calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of logarithmic functions and properties
  • Familiarity with algebraic manipulation of equations
  • Knowledge of the ring \(Z[\sqrt{2}]\)
  • Basic concepts of exponents and their properties
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devanlevin
how do i solve this equatio?
[(√2) +1]²¹=[(√2)-1]*[3+2(√2)]˟ˉ¹


(√2) is sqare root of 2

hhow do i find x?

how can i divide [(√2) +1]²¹ by =[(√2)-1]
 
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I don't see x in your equation.
 
devanlevin said:
how do i solve this equatio?
[(√2) +1]²¹=[(√2)-1]*[3+2(√2)]˟ˉ¹


(√2) is sqare root of 2

hhow do i find x?

how can i divide [(√2) +1]²¹ by =[(√2)-1]

there's your x Borek.
 
Perhaps I am missing something, or it is just my computer glitch, but I have no idea where and what the unknown is and I can't see it with this formatting neither in Opera nor in IE. I see either some square or nothing on the right - but even after checking its code (#735) I am not wiser, as by name that's "swedish grave accent"...

Is it shaped as x? Is this the equation?

(\sqrt 2 + 1) ^{21} = \frac {(\sqrt 2 - 1)(3+2 \sqrt 2)} {x}
 
I'm confused as well. It appears that the x is located as an exponent of [3 + 2*sqrt(2)], more like:

[3 + 2*sqrt(2)]^(x-1)
 
Last edited:
Something like

(\sqrt 2 + 1) ^{21} = (\sqrt 2 - 1)(3+2 \sqrt 2) ^{x-1}
 
Borek said:
Something like

(\sqrt 2 + 1) ^{21} = (\sqrt 2 - 1)(3+2 \sqrt 2) ^{x-1}

Yeah like that.

Sorry about what I posted earlier, I changed it since I accidently put -x instead of x-1 :smile:
 
exactly that, x-1 is the exponent
 
So your problem is simply to solve a= bcx-1 where a, b, c are numbers?

Surely you see that cx-1= (a/b). Now take the logarithm of both sides.
 
  • #10
First , you can write
<br /> \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}-1}=\frac{\sqrt{2}+1}{(\sqrt{2}+1)(\sqrt{2}-1)}=\sqrt{2}+1.<br />
Also,
<br /> (\sqrt{2}+1)^2=2+2\sqrt{2}+1=3+2\sqrt{2}.<br />
Hopefully, that helps
 
  • #11
Your equation is of the form:
a=b*c^{x-1}
where a,b,c are ugly numbers.
Solve for x in this GENERAL form first, and then, if you absolutely have to, substitute them with your ugly numbers.
 
  • #12
arildno said:
Your equation is of the form:
a=b*c^{x-1}
where a,b,c are ugly numbers.
Solve for x in this GENERAL form first, and then, if you absolutely have to, substitute them with your ugly numbers.

I disagree totally with this. The general answer would be x=log(a/b)/log(c)+1, but the point of the original question seems to be to do some simple arithmetic in Z[\sqrt{2}][/itex], and the answer is an integer, and can be solved exactly without resorting to log tables or a calculator. Expressed as logs, that would not be clear.
 

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