Re: HELP! algebraic math problem
- Subject: [mg2950] Re: HELP! algebraic math problem
- From: bshoels at rs1.tcs.tulane.edu (Brett Shoelson)
- Date: 14 Jan 1996 05:32:06 -0600
- Approved: usenet@wri.com
- Distribution: local
- Newsgroups: wri.mathgroup
- Organization: Tulane University
- Sender: mj at wri.com
DavidA.Johnson at news.acns.nwu.edu wrote:
: I'm stumped!
: I have a simple problem that I certainly should be able to see the solution and my memory just isn't working. Is there anyone who can help me solve this.
: I have a general equation of: d = a + bx + c ln(x)
: I want to isolate x, how do I do it?
: In reality I know a, b, c, and d and need to calculate x
: I've been trying to solve this in Mathematica and it just doesn't work because of limitations in their solve routine. Of course I've been lazy for quite a while and have been using Mma to much to solve problems and my mind has obviously forgotten simple concepts.
: appologetically, and in advance, THANK'S,
: David A. Johnson
: please email any solution or suggestions.
This works, as long as you have numerical values of a,b,c,d. (Otherwise
it's a much more difficult <possible?> problem:
IN:
ClearAll[d,a,b,c,x]
ans = Roots[d==a + b x + c Log[x]/.{a->2,b->6,c->4,d->5},x]
OUT:
x == (3 - 4*Log[x])/6
IN:
FindRoot[ans,{x,1}]
OUT:
{x -> 0.7194822665641975156}
Note that you can also plug this equation into an HP or TI scientific
calculator (or "equivalent"--although there is no equivalent of an HP)
and it will spit out an answer for x.
Regards,
Brett Shoelson
bshoels at rs6000.tcs.tulane.edu