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exponential math question?

i really need help. cracked my brains over this for like 30 mins already.

t - 2e^(-0.5t) = 2

how do you solve for t?

6 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Is this a problem in Complex Analysis?

    There are no "real" solutions for t, but there may be complex values (of the form a + bi) for t that would work.

    You can prove that real values don't work by creating a graph (with a graphing calculator or using Excel, for example). the expression on the left does not equal 2 for any real values of t.

  • 1 decade ago

    Hi,

    I have kinda forgotten asto how to complee this.

    Given,

    t-2e^(-0.5t) = 2

    => e^(-0.5t)-0.5t+1 = 0 (take 2 to other side, muitlply by -0.5)

    =>e^X-X = -1 where X=-0.5t

    Taking log to base e ie., ln

    => X-ln(X) = -ln(1)

    => X = ln(X) {ln(1) = 0)}

    I have come till here. Its all your's

    Sorry, cant complete it.

    Here are a few links that didnt quitehelp me . May be they will help you.

    You can try using the complex equations with X=0.5t instead of (-0.5t)

    then we have e^(it)=-(1+t)

    and

    e^(it)= cost + isint

    => cost + isint = -(1-t)

    Peace out.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Plotting the graphs y = t-2e^(-t/2) and y = 2 shows one intersection which implies there is one real solution for t.

    we will enter the realms of complex analysis anyway.

    Let z=t/2 so the equation becomes

    2*z - 2e^(-z) = 2 or

    z - e^(-z) -1 =0

    Now if z is complex then we can write z = x+iy where x and y are real.

    so

    x+iy - e^(-x-iy) - 1=0

    using e^(-iy) = cos(y)-isin(y) we get

    (x-1 - cos(y)*e^(-x)) +i(y + sin(y)*e^(-x)) = 0

    This implies that both the real and imaginary parts must be zero giving two simultaneous equations for x and y:

    x-1 - cos(y)*e^(-x) = 0 and

    y + sin(y)*e^(-x) = 0

    solving these will get you x and y. Then z=x+iy and z=t/2

    so t = 2x+2iy

  • 1 decade ago

    Its not possible to rearrange this equation to make t the subject.

    You have to solve iteratively - computers are so quick nowadays it's no big deal.

    t=2.556929 (approx.)

    30 mins is not long to spend on a problem!

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    by taking 2+0.5+2e^

  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    get someone who knows more about it than I do.

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