1. Apr 2, 2008 #1

   natgbz

   

   Can't remember how to do this (trying to solve for D):
   
   x = b/D + a*log(D)
   
   Any takers? Or is this impossible?

    

   natgbz, Apr 2, 2008
2. 
   Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories on Phys.org

   • • Mathematicians ask: What's in a ripple?
   • • These four easy steps can make you a math whiz
   • • Streamlined security: Optimizing sensor placement with mathematics
3. Apr 2, 2008 #2

   symbolipoint

   

   Homework Helper

   Education Advisor

   Gold Member

   Additive inverse of b/D;
   Multiplicative inverse of 'a';
   
   Not sure if the rest is impossible. I'm stuck, since D is the input of the logarithm function and it occurs as a factor too. Am I forgetting something simple, or is this beyond "intermediate" level algebra?

    

   symbolipoint, Apr 2, 2008
4. Apr 2, 2008 #3

   natgbz

   

   
   Maybe I can simplify the problem here:
   
   a, b, and c are real numbers, D is greater than zero
   
   c = b/D + a*log(D)
   
   how does one solve for D?

    

   natgbz, Apr 2, 2008
5. Apr 2, 2008 #4

   HallsofIvy

   

   Staff Emeritus

   Science Advisor

   One doesn't. Not in terms of elementary functions anyway. It might be possible to solve it in terms of the "Lambert W function".

    

   HallsofIvy, Apr 2, 2008
6. Apr 2, 2008 #5

   natgbz

   

   How bout a Taylor Series expansion?

    

   natgbz, Apr 2, 2008

• Log in with Facebook
• Log in with Twitter

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in