Chapter 5: Problem 27
Find all the real-number roots of each equation. In each case, give an exact expression for the root and also (where appropriate) a calculator approximation rounded to three decimal places. \(e^{x}-e^{-x}=1 \quad\) Hint: Multiply both side by \(e^{x}.\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The exact root is \(\ln\left(\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2}\right)\) and the approximation is 0.481.
Step by step solution
01
Multiply Through by \(e^x\)
Start with the equation \(e^x - e^{-x} = 1\). To eliminate the term \(e^{-x}\), multiply both sides by \(e^x\). This yields \((e^x)^2 - 1 = e^x\).
02
Rearrange the Equation
Rearrange the equation \((e^x)^2 - 1 = e^x\) as \((e^x)^2 - e^x - 1 = 0\), which is a quadratic equation in terms of \(e^x\).
03
Use the Quadratic Formula
Use the quadratic formula \(t = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\) to solve \(t^2 - t - 1 = 0\) by letting \(t = e^x\), \(a = 1\), \(b = -1\), and \(c = -1\).
04
Apply the Quadratic Formula
Calculate \(t = \frac{-(-1) \pm \sqrt{(-1)^2 - 4 \times 1 \times (-1)}}{2 \times 1}\) which simplifies to \(t = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2}\). This gives two possible values for \(e^x\): \(\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2}\) and \(\frac{1 - \sqrt{5}}{2}\).
05
Determine Valid Solution for \(e^x\)
Since \(e^x > 0\), only \(\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2}\) is valid. The other value \(\frac{1 - \sqrt{5}}{2}\) is negative and cannot be \(e^x\).
06
Solve for \(x\)
Take the natural logarithm of both sides to solve for \(x\):\[ x = \ln\left(\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2}\right) \].
07
Calculate and Approximate the Root
Use a calculator to find the numerical approximation of \(x\): \[ x \approx \ln(1.6180339887) \approx 0.481 \] (rounded to three decimal places).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Real-Number Roots
When solving exponential equations like the one we have, understanding real-number roots becomes crucial. Real roots are simply solutions to the equation where the solution is a real number, as opposed to an imaginary or complex number. In this context, determining whether a solution is a real number involves examining the possible outcomes of its expression.
- In our specific exercise, we used an equation involving exponential forms, namely, \(e^x\) and \(e^{-x}\).
- This was transformed into a quadratic equation, which helps to identify real-number roots more easily.
- By applying techniques such as the quadratic formula, we narrowed down the values that \(e^x\) could take, emphasizing that \(e^x\) must always be positive due to its nature as an exponential term.
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is a powerful tool for solving quadratic equations, which are equations of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). In our scenario, the quadratic formula was used after transforming the exponential equation into a quadratic form:
- The formula is given by: \[ t = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \] where \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) are coefficients in the quadratic equation \(at^2 + bt + c = 0\).
- In the example we considered, \(a = 1\), \(b = -1\), and \(c = -1\). Using the formula helped to find potential solutions for \(e^x\).
- The result was two values: \(\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2}\) and \(\frac{1 - \sqrt{5}}{2}\).
Natural Logarithm
The natural logarithm, represented by \(\ln\), is essential when solving exponential equations for solving back to \(x\).
- In this exercise, after finding that \(e^x = \frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2}\), we needed to solve for \(x\).
- This was done by taking the natural logarithm (log base \(e\)) of both sides: \[x = \ln\left(\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2}\right)\].
- The natural logarithm helps to simplify expressions that include exponential terms, transforming them so their power can be solved directly.
- Finally, we used a calculator to determine the decimal approximation of the natural logarithm, yielding \(x \approx 0.481\), rounded to three decimal places.