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Thread: Can you solve this?

  1. #1

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    Fanatic Member alkatran's Avatar
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    Can you solve this?

    (X^X)^X = 3

    Enjoy, my calculator gives me an error whenever I put it in.
    Don't pay attention to this signature, it's contradictory.

  2. #2
    Fanatic Member sql_lall's Avatar
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    Talking Ok

    Window Settings:
    XMin=1
    XMax=2
    YMin=1
    YMax=16 ((2^2)^2=16)
    Graphing:
    y=3
    y=(x^x)^x

    Intersection:
    x=1.5655522757211(13 d.p)
    y=3
    sql_lall

  3. #3

    Thread Starter
    Fanatic Member alkatran's Avatar
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    niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice

    Wtg, I'll have to remember how you did that
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  4. #4
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    [b]Sql_Lall[b] got it right. I verified his answer on my HP.

    The derivative of (xx)x is a bit messy to determine, but you could use the Newton method to get the answer is you know the derivative.
    Live long & prosper.

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  5. #5
    Addicted Member TheAlchemist's Avatar
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    correct me if im wrong but the derivative f(X) = (X^X)^X = X^X2

    so if we look at it as a function of a function and solve by the chain rule then:
    d/dx (f(X)) = X^2*(X^(X2 -1) * 2X

    = (2X^(X2 +2)
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  6. #6
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    TheAlchemist: (xx)x = xx^2 helps a lot. I feel stupid for not realizing that simplification.

    Given Function(x) = xx^2, I do not think the derivative is as simple as your post.

    I am not certain of the following, but think it is the way to approach this.

    Function(x) = xx^2

    Function(x) = [ eln(x) ]x^2, where ln(x) is natural log(x)

    Function(x) = ex^2*ln(x)

    Derivative[ eu ] = eu * Derivative(u)

    Derivative[ ex^2*ln(x) ] = ex^2*ln(x) * Derivative[ x^2ln(x) ]

    Now use derivative of a product.
    Live long & prosper.

    The Dinosaur from prehistoric era prior to computers.

    Eschew obfuscation!
    If a billion people believe a foolish idea, it is still a foolish idea!
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  7. #7
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    SQL_LLAL posted this answer to the x^x^x = 3 question:

    x = 1.5655522757211(13 d.p)

    By trial and error, using Excel, I got:
    x = 1.56555227572112 (14 d.p., which, apparently, is the most I can get with Excel). It did take me some 5 minutes, though.

  8. #8
    Addicted Member TheAlchemist's Avatar
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    hmmm, yes Guv i see your point, its beautiful how you broke it down using e^ln(x). looking at it i now feel a bit dense that i applied methods, that ordinarily, would have been right but weren't so in this case because of the exponent X. dam why did't i see that!!!!
    One thing that sustains me through life is the conciousness of the immense inferiority of everyone else
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