Solve for a variable inside a summation

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To solve for the variable x in the given summation equation, where a is a known constant and the bs are also known, one must recognize that there are multiple potential x-values corresponding to a specific value of a, such as a=0.5. The equation represents a quadratic surface in n-dimensional space, indicating that there will be a group of solutions rather than a single x-value. Without additional assumptions or information, it is impossible to derive a unique solution. Fixing all but one variable allows for a simpler quadratic equation to be formed, but this may not align with the desired outcome. Ultimately, the problem illustrates the complexity of solving a single equation with multiple variables.
lilly92
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I need to solve the equation
MWSnap042.png


for x, where a is a known constant and
MWSnap043.png
.
The bs are known too.
What i need to do is sto find for which xs I'll have a specific value of a, eg a=0.5, i.e. solve for x and substitute the a. I believe that the result will be a group of xs and not a single x-value. Also the last two terms of the first equation are the expansion of the squared sum of the product xy
 
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There are n variables "x", x1 to xn, but just one equation. Without additional assumptions or other information, there is no way to solve anything. You can fix all but one to an arbitrary value and then solve the equation for the last one (gives a simple quadratic equation), but I doubt that's what you actually want.
 
lilly92 said:
I need to solve the equation
MWSnap042.png


for x, where a is a known constant and
MWSnap043.png
.
The bs are known too.
What i need to do is sto find for which xs I'll have a specific value of a, eg a=0.5, i.e. solve for x and substitute the a. I believe that the result will be a group of xs and not a single x-value. Also the last two terms of the first equation are the expansion of the squared sum of the product xy

You have variables ##x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n## but only one equation. Essentially, you have the equation of a quadratic surface in n-dimensional space. There will not be only a single solution, just as a surface does not contain only a single point.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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