# Thread: help with logarithm eq.

1. ## help with logarithm eq.

Hi , I need help on the following:

Find a value of x such that :

$x = 4(\lceil log_2 (x)\rceil + 1)$

Thanks

2. The "ceiling" of $log_2(x)$, and so the right side, changes only when x is a power of two. If $x= 2^n$, $4(log_2(x)+ 1)= 4(n+1)$. In order for that to be equal to $x= 2^n$ we must have $2^n= 4(n+1)$, $2^n/4= 2^{n-2}= n+1$.

You might be able to solve that algebraically using the Lambert W function but I would try a numerical method:
If n= 1, $2^{-1}= 1/2\ne 1+ 1$. If n= 2 we have $2^0= 1< 2+1$. If n= 3 we have $2^1= 2< 3+ 1$. If n= 4 we have $2^2= 4< 4+1$. If n= 5 we have $2^3= 8> 5+ 1$. That tells us that there must be a solution to $2^{n- 2}= n+ 1$ for n a number between n= 4 and n= 5. Okay, try half way between (just because that is simplest). If n= 4.5, [tex]2^{2.5}= 4\sqrt{2}[/quote] which is just slightly more than 4.5+ 1= 4.6. There must be a solution between n= 4 and 4.5 (and so x between $2^4= 16$ and [tex]2^{4.5}= 22.67...