Chapter 4: Problem 124
Solve the equation. \(e^{2 x}-6 e^{x}+4=0\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solutions are \( x = \ln(3 + \sqrt{5}) \) and \( x = \ln(3 - \sqrt{5}) \).
Step by step solution
01
Introduce Substitution
To simplify the equation, introduce a substitution. Let \( u = e^{x} \). Then, \( e^{2x} \) can be rewritten as \( u^2 \). So, the equation becomes \( u^2 - 6u + 4 = 0 \).
02
Solve the Quadratic Equation
Solve the quadratic equation \( u^2 - 6u + 4 = 0 \) using the quadratic formula: \( u = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \). For our equation, \( a = 1 \), \( b = -6 \), and \( c = 4 \).
03
Apply the Quadratic Formula
Calculate the discriminant: \( b^2 - 4ac = (-6)^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot 4 = 36 - 16 = 20 \). Now apply the quadratic formula: \( u = \frac{6 \pm \sqrt{20}}{2 \cdot 1} = \frac{6 \pm 2\sqrt{5}}{2} = 3 \pm \sqrt{5} \). Hence, \( u = 3 + \sqrt{5} \) and \( u = 3 - \sqrt{5} \).
04
Reverse the Substitution
Substitute back \( u = e^x \). This gives two equations: \( e^x = 3 + \sqrt{5} \) and \( e^x = 3 - \sqrt{5} \).
05
Solve for x
Take the natural logarithm of both sides to solve for \( x \). For \( e^x = 3 + \sqrt{5} \), \( x = \ln(3 + \sqrt{5}) \). For \( e^x = 3 - \sqrt{5} \), \( x = \ln(3 - \sqrt{5}) \). Check if \( 3 - \sqrt{5} > 0 \).
06
Verify the Solutions
Verify if \( 3 - \sqrt{5} > 0 \). Since \( \sqrt{5} \approx 2.236 \), \( 3 - \sqrt{5} \approx 0.764 \), which is positive. Thus, both solutions are valid.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Substitution Method
The substitution method is a powerful tool for solving complex equations by reducing them to simpler forms. In our example, we simplify the exponential equation by letting \( u = e^x \). This transforms the original equation \( e^{2x} - 6e^x + 4 = 0 \) into a quadratic equation: \( u^2 - 6u + 4 = 0 \).
- First, identify a substitution that makes the equation easier to handle.
- Replace the variables accordingly, resulting in a more familiar equation form.
- Solve this simpler equation before reversing the substitution.
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is essential for solving quadratic equations of the form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \). In our exercise, we need to solve \( u^2 - 6u + 4 = 0 \) using the formula: \[ u = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \] Here, \( a = 1 \), \( b = -6 \), and \( c = 4 \). The steps are:
- Identify coefficients \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \).
- Compute the discriminant \( b^2 - 4ac \).
- Substitute these values into the quadratic formula to find solutions for \( u \).
Natural Logarithm
Taking the natural logarithm is vital for solving equations where the unknown is in the exponent. After finding the roots \( u = 3 + \sqrt{5} \) and \( u = 3 - \sqrt{5} \), we substitute back to get two exponential equations: \ e^x = 3 + \sqrt{5} \ \ e^x = 3 - \sqrt{5} \ To solve for \( x \), we take the natural logarithm (\( \ln \)) of both sides:
- For \( e^x = 3 + \sqrt{5} \), \( x = \ln(3 + \sqrt{5}) \).
- For \( e^x = 3 - \sqrt{5} \), \( x = \ln(3 - \sqrt{5}) \).
Discriminant
The discriminant is a crucial concept in the quadratic formula. It helps determine the nature and number of roots. For the quadratic equation \( u^2 - 6u + 4 = 0 \), the discriminant \( \Delta \) is calculated as \( b^2 - 4ac \): \[ \Delta = (-6)^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot 4 = 36 - 16 = 20 \]
- If \( \Delta > 0 \), the equation has two distinct real roots.
- If \( \Delta = 0 \), there is one real double root.
- If \( \Delta < 0 \), the equation has no real roots, only complex ones.