# Math Help - Exponential equation

1. ## Exponential equation

Hi guys

I can't solve the following exponential equation:

n * 11^n = 132

Any help will be appreciated!

Matan

2. Originally Posted by matancs92
Hi guys

I can't solve the following exponential equation:

n * 11^n = 132

Any help will be appreciated!

Matan
you'll need to use technology (a calculator or computer) to solve this equation ... $n \approx 1.7928...$

3. $n11^n = 132$

You cannot solve this normally, or get the exact result of it. You can only get an approximation of it (down to however many decimal places you want.)

A method that can be used to solve this is the Newton–Raphson method. $x_{n+1} = x_n - \frac{f(x_n)}{f'(x_n)}$

Rearrange the formula to make one side equal zero, $n11^n -132= 0$ and call this f(x).
Select an appropriate number to start off with, call this $x_0$ and apply the newton method.

4. You can give an "algebraic" solution in terms of the Lambert W function, W(x), which is defined as the inverse function to $f(x)= xe^x$.

Of course, $11^n= e^{ln(11^n)}= e^{n ln(11)}$. If we let $y= n ln(11)$, then $n= \frac{y}{ln(11)}$ and the equation becomes $\frac{ye^y}{ln(11)}= 132$.

Then $ye^y= 132ln(11)$ so $y= n ln(11)= W(132 ln(11))$ and $n= \frac{W(132 ln(11))}{ln(11)}$.

5. Thank you very much for helping me guys!