# Need help solving for x

• January 22nd 2008, 06:06 AM
nafix
Need help solving for x
I just started a class called advanced engineering mathmatics and I guess that includes trigonometry from highschool. If anyone could help that would be great because I haven't done this stuff in years. Here are the problems:
Solve for x:

18cos^2x + 3cosx - 1 = 0

cosx + 3sinx = 1

13^(3x) * 4^(2x) = 5

Thanks for any help in advance, this wouldn't be a problem if the book wasn't sold out at the bookstore.
• January 22nd 2008, 06:25 AM
colby2152
Quote:

Originally Posted by nafix
I just started a class called advanced engineering mathmatics and I guess that includes trigonometry from highschool. If anyone could help that would be great because I haven't done this stuff in years. Here are the problems:
Solve for x:

18cos^2x + 3cosx - 1 = 0

cosx + 3sinx = 1

13^(3x) * 4^(2x) = 5

Thanks for any help in advance, this wouldn't be a problem if the book wasn't sold out at the bookstore.

1) Let $y=cos(x)$; use the quadratic equation to solve for y, and then solve for x

2) x = 0

3)
$13^{3x} * 4^{2x} = 5$

$2197^x 16^x = 5$

$(2197*16)^x = 5$

$ln(2197*16)x = ln(5)$

$10.47x = 1.61$

$x = .154$
• January 22nd 2008, 01:12 PM
nafix
Much appreciated Colby.