SOLUTION: Solve {{{3000e^(0.17x) = 4000}}} for x to four decimal places. The number e is the base of the natural logarithm function. thanks

Algebra ->  Exponential-and-logarithmic-functions -> SOLUTION: Solve {{{3000e^(0.17x) = 4000}}} for x to four decimal places. The number e is the base of the natural logarithm function. thanks      Log On


   



Question 202903: Solve 3000e%5E%280.17x%29+=+4000 for x to four decimal places. The number e is the base of the natural logarithm function.
thanks

Answer by jsmallt9(3758) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Whenever you are asked to "Solve for x" it means: "Use Algebra to change the equation around so that "x" is isolated (by itself) on one side of the equation".

In your equation we need to use Algebra to "peel away" the 3000, the "e" and the 0.17 and we need x out of the exponent. We can deal the the 3000 easily. Just divide both sides of 3000e%5E%280.17x%29+=+4000 by 3000 giving:
%283000e%5E%280.17x%29%29%2F3000+=+4000%2F3000
which simplifies to:
e%5E%280.17x%29+=+4%2F3
In general when one has an equation of the form a%5Ex+=+b you use the base "a" logarithm to eliminate the "a" and to get the "x" out of the exponent at the same time. So we can deal with both the "e" and the fact that x is in an exponent by finding the ln (the base "e" logarithm) of both sides.:
ln%28e%5E%280.17x%29%29+=+ln%284%2F3%29
Using the ln%28a%5Eb%29+=+b%2Aln%28a%29 property on the left side we get:
%280.17x%29%2Aln%28e%29+=+ln%284%2F3%29
Since the ln(e) = 1 we now have:
0.17x+=+ln%284%2F3%29
Now "x" is out of the exponent and "e" is gone! The final step is to divide both sides by 0.17:
%280.17x%29%2F%280.17%29+=+%28ln%284%2F3%29%29%2F%280.17%29
The 0.17's on the left side cancel giving:
x+=+%28ln%284%2F3%29%29%2F%280.17%29
We have "solved for x"! It is by itself on the left side of this equation. The only thing left to do is to simplify the right side. Using our calculators to find the ln(4/3) we get:
x+=+%280.2876820724517809%29%2F%280.17%29
and then dividing by 0.17:
x+=+1.6922474850104760
And rounding to 4 decimal places:
x+=+1.6922