Re: HELP! algebraic math problem
- Subject: [mg2949] Re: HELP! algebraic math problem
- From: wfigueroa at mosquito.com (wilson figueroa)
- Date: 14 Jan 1996 05:24:29 -0600
- Approved: usenet@wri.com
- Distribution: local
- Newsgroups: wri.mathgroup
- Organization: Mosquito Net, Inc.
- Sender: mj at wri.com
David,
Since you have an equation which involves a transcendental
function, it is almost always impossible to find a closed
form solution involving x only.
At this point one needs to resort to numerical techniques.
Here you can use FindRoot[f(x) == 0, {x,x0}]. For example,
FindRoot[10*Log[x] + 2*x - 3 == 0,{x,4},
WorkingPrecision -> 30]
would yield,
x = 1.0862...(to thirty places)
Note that I would recommend plotting the function over a range
of x. Obviously here, x must be > 0, and plotting will help
you to see the zeros of the function. Have fun
Wilson.