help me with this math problem before I go mad

Aug 10, 2001
10,420
2
0
Can you write x^3-x+e^x=0 as x=g(x) such that the absolute value of the derivative of g(x) evaluated at approximinately x=-1.1 is less than 1 ?

The most obvious choices x=x^3+e^x, x=ln(x-x^3), and x=(x-e^x)^(1/3) all don't work. A lot of other rearrangements don't work either. :confused:

EDIT: x= -e^x/x^2+1/x doesn't work

SECOND EDIT: I found one that works! x=(3x-e^x-x^3)/2
 
Aug 10, 2001
10,420
2
0
Originally posted by: scott
1) numerical solution is:

-1 + 2.71828^(1+y) -y+(1+y)^2 = 0

2) now evaluate your derivative on that

(Not to spoil your fun in working it out, for x=-1.1 it evaluates to "false")

The root is not exactly -1.1.
 

Syringer

Lifer
Aug 2, 2001
19,333
2
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Originally posted by: Random Variable
Can you write x^3-x+e^x=0 as x=g(x) such that the absolute value of the derivative of g(x) evaluated at approximinately x=-1.1 is less than 1 ?

The answer is 'no'.

What do I win?