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Q: solving non-linear equation ( No Answer,   5 Comments )
Question  
Subject: solving non-linear equation
Category: Science > Math
Asked by: emmag999-ga
List Price: $5.00
Posted: 08 May 2006 13:09 PDT
Expires: 09 May 2006 14:09 PDT
Question ID: 726654
I need to solve (2ar^(a-1))-1 =0 
Answer given in text is r = (2a)^(1/(1-a)), but I get to r =
(2a)^(-1/(1-a))- where am I going wrong?
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: solving non-linear equation
From: redfoxjumps-ga on 08 May 2006 13:21 PDT
 
Is it "but I get to r = (2a)^(-1/(1-a))- where am I going wrong?"   Or

r = (2a)^(-1/(1-a))  ?


if it is:
r = (2a)^(-1/(1-a))-  

Do the two minus signs cancel each other out?  or is one a typo?
Subject: Re: solving non-linear equation
From: brix24-ga on 08 May 2006 17:06 PDT
 
Do you get this for your second step

2ar^(a-1)=+1 ?

Later, are you raising both sides to the (1/(a-1)) power?

If these don't help, you might try posting your steps to make it
easier for someone to pinpoint the problem.
Subject: Re: solving non-linear equation
From: brix24-ga on 08 May 2006 17:08 PDT
 
Did you convert 1/2a to (2a)^-1?
Subject: Re: solving non-linear equation
From: mathisfun-ga on 08 May 2006 23:16 PDT
 
Are you getting r=(2a)^(-1/(1-a)) or 
r = (2a)^(-1/(a-1))
  = (2a)^(1/(-(a-1)) 
  = (2a)^(1/(-a+1) 
  = (2a)^(1/(1-a))

If you are getting r = (2a)^(-1/1-a) then your problem is after you get 
r^(a-1) = 2a^-1 you are trying to take the (1-a)th root of each side
instead of the (a-1)th leading to
r^[(a-1)/(1-a)] = (2a)^(-1/(1-a)) which clearly doesn't solve for r.

Hope this helps.
Subject: Re: solving non-linear equation
From: redfoxjumps-ga on 09 May 2006 00:22 PDT
 
Boy, ga picked a horrible default font for trying to communicate math problems!

Instant headache font I think it is called.

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