Sanity Check: Solving for t in x=12(1-e^-t/RC) with Inversion Method

  • Thread starter Thread starter parabol
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving the equation x=12(1-e^(-t/RC)) for t, leading to the derived solution t=-RC ln(1-x/12). Participants confirm that inverting both sides of the equation e^(-t/RC)=(12-x)/12 is valid, resulting in e^(t/RC)=12/(12-x). There is clarification on the importance of correctly applying the rules of inversion, emphasizing that the reciprocal of a sum is not the sum of the reciprocals. Confusion arises from incorrect substitutions and inversions, highlighting the need for careful manipulation of equations. The conversation underscores the importance of understanding mathematical principles in solving exponential equations.
parabol
Messages
17
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Transpose for t,

x=12(1-e^(-t/RC))

I can't get it out of my head but, the soltuion I have come up with doesn't seem right.

Solution is,

t=-RC ln(1-x/12)

Thanks in advance,

Realted, but not as important as the sanity check. For my own mind, could someone explain to me if this is possible and should/could be carried out. If during my transposing I came up with:

e^(-t/RC)= (12-x)/12

Is it possible to invert both sides so that the follwoing is shown

e^(t/RC)=12/(12-x)

Again, thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
For your first problem, that's what I get.
For the second, yes, it's valid to invert both sides. The idea is that if a/b = c/d, then b/a = d/c, as long as you don't introduce any division by zero in doing this.
 
Mark44 said:
For your first problem, that's what I get.
For the second, yes, it's valid to invert both sides. The idea is that if a/b = c/d, then b/a = d/c, as long as you don't introduce any division by zero in doing this.



Thanks Mark. Its just that I tried the invert first off and got completely different colutions once I had substitued values in (why I got confused) .
 
I'm guessing that you made a mistake when you inverted first. If you have a sum or difference -- a + b -- the reciprocal isn't 1/a + 1/b. It's 1/(a + b). For your problem I'm guessing that you took the reciprocal of 1 - e^(-t/RC) to be 1 - e^(t/RC).
 
I tried to combine those 2 formulas but it didn't work. I tried using another case where there are 2 red balls and 2 blue balls only so when combining the formula I got ##\frac{(4-1)!}{2!2!}=\frac{3}{2}## which does not make sense. Is there any formula to calculate cyclic permutation of identical objects or I have to do it by listing all the possibilities? Thanks
Since ##px^9+q## is the factor, then ##x^9=\frac{-q}{p}## will be one of the roots. Let ##f(x)=27x^{18}+bx^9+70##, then: $$27\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)^2+b\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)+70=0$$ $$b=27 \frac{q}{p}+70 \frac{p}{q}$$ $$b=\frac{27q^2+70p^2}{pq}$$ From this expression, it looks like there is no greatest value of ##b## because increasing the value of ##p## and ##q## will also increase the value of ##b##. How to find the greatest value of ##b##? Thanks
Back
Top