# a^x = x

• Mar 1st 2008, 01:11 AM
hakanaras
a^x = x
How can we algebraically find the intersection of an exponential function y=a^x with the straight line y=x? In other words, what is the solution to the equation a^x = x ?
• Mar 1st 2008, 01:42 AM
CaptainBlack
Quote:

Originally Posted by hakanaras
How can we algebraically find the intersection of an exponential function y=a^x with the straight line y=x? In other words, what is the solution to the equation a^x = x ?

First there is no guarantee that there are any real solutions to $a^x=x$. In fact if $\ln(a)>1$ it is obvious that there are no real solutions.

If $a<1$, then put $b=1/a$ and the equation becomes:

$e^{-\ln(b)x}=x$

which we can rearrange to:

$[\ln(b)~x]~e^{\ln(b)~x}=\ln(b)$

and this has solution:

$x=\frac{W(\ln(b))}{\ln(b)}$

or equivalently:

$x=-~\frac{W(-\ln(a))}{\ln(a)}$

where $W$ is Lambert's W function.

(If we are not concerned with real solutions then the above works period, though you have to keep an eye on the multiple values of the W function)

RonL
• Mar 1st 2008, 02:13 AM
CaptainBlack
Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainBlack

:
:

or equivalently:

$x=-~\frac{W(-\ln(a))}{\ln(a)}$

where $W$ is Lambert's W function.

(If we are not concerned with real solutions then the above works period, though you have to keep an eye on the multiple values of the W function)

RonL

To demonstrate this working see this:

Code:

This is EULER, Version 2.3 RL-06. Type help(Return) for help. Enter command: (16777216 Bytes free.) Processing configuration file. Done. >load "C:\Program Files\EulerRL\Euler Utils\LambertW.e"; > >a=0.1; >x=-LambertW(-log(a))/log(a)     0.399013 > > > >a^x-x  5.55112e-017 >
RonL
• Mar 1st 2008, 03:26 AM
mr fantastic
Some replies do not deserve an unthanked fate. For my money, the above two are in that class. Hence the pre-emptive safe-guard.

(Would've added rep but apparently I've got to spread a bit more first).

And this thread is certainly as good as any to direct the interested reader to the following references:

http://www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/research/tr/1993/03/W.pdf

New analytic solution to classic problem?
• Mar 1st 2008, 11:37 PM
CaptainBlack
Quote:

Originally Posted by mr fantastic
Some replies do not deserve an unthanked fate. For my money, the above two are in that class. Hence the pre-emptive safe-guard.

(Would've added rep but apparently I've got to spread a bit more first).

And this thread is certainly as good as any to direct the interested reader to the following references:

http://www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/research/tr/1993/03/W.pdf

New analytic solution to classic problem?

Now you have embarrassed me http://www.clipartof.com/images/emot...d_blushing.gif

Great references.

RonL