- #1
Hertz
- 180
- 8
[itex]ln(x) = x - 2[/itex]
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
phyzguy said:What do you mean by "solve exactly"? It has two well-defined solutions, and you could calculate their values to as many decimal places as you want, but they are irrational numbers, so you could never write them down exactly, just like you could never write down pi or sqrt(2) exactly. Is it possible to solve x^2 = 2 exactly?
Hertz said:You can write down pi and sqrt(2) exactly with no problems whatsoever. Here, I'll show you:
pi
sqrt(2)
phyzguy said:I can also write down the solution to your equation. Here, I'll show you:
-ProductLog(-1/e^2)
Does that answer your question?
TheEtherWind said:You could use Newton's method to find an approximation.
Hertz said:[itex]ln(x) = x - 2[/itex]
Any ideas?
No, not all equations can be solved exactly. Some equations may have infinitely many solutions, while others may have no solutions at all. Additionally, some equations may require advanced mathematical techniques that have not yet been discovered.
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to determine if an equation can be solved exactly. However, there are some characteristics that may indicate the possibility of an exact solution, such as the presence of rational coefficients and simple mathematical operations.
Yes, there are some techniques that can help make solving equations easier, such as factoring, substitution, and using the quadratic formula. However, these methods may not always lead to an exact solution, and some equations may require more advanced techniques.
It depends on the context and purpose of the equation. In some cases, an approximate solution may be sufficient, while in others, an exact solution may be necessary for accurate calculations or predictions. It is always important to consider the level of precision required for the specific problem at hand.
If you are unable to solve an equation exactly, you can still try to approximate a solution using numerical methods or software tools. You can also seek help from a math expert or tutor who may be able to guide you towards a solution or provide alternative approaches to the problem.