# Math Help - Finding the smallest root.

1. ## Finding the smallest root.

How to find the smallest root of this equation?

Thanks.

2. ## Re: Finding the smallest root.

From inspection the left hand side of this equation must be less than or equal to 1, so therefore $e^{0.02x} \le 0.05$, or $x \ge \frac {-ln(20)}{0.02}$. So the smallest root must be greater than 149.8. I think you'll find that the root is around 160.9.

3. ## Re: Finding the smallest root.

It appears that x1=150. is the smallest root?

4. ## Re: Finding the smallest root.

Yes but how do I find it? I mean without plotting from graph

5. ## Re: Finding the smallest root.

Yes, the answer is near 150 (not exactly 150, but slightly more).

You can find the solution using a numerical technique, such as Newton's method, to find the root for $f(x) = e^{-0.02x}+0.95+ \sin(2x) = 0$. It involves first making a guess as to what the root is - call it $x_1$ - and finding the error of this guess:

Error = $e^{-0.02x_1}+0.95+ \sin(2x_1)$,

Then calculate the slope of f(x_1):

Slope = $-0.02 e^{-0.02x_1} + 2 \cos(2x_1)$

and set the next guess as $x_2 = x_1 - \frac {error}{slope}$. Iterate through this a few times and it will zero in on a value near 150.0007.

6. ## Re: Finding the smallest root.

What do YOU mean by "finding" the root? You won't be able to write it in terms of elementary functions.

7. ## Re: Finding the smallest root.

Thanks ebaines