How can I reduce this expression to e^{mx}?

In summary, the conversation discusses a mathematical expression and the steps taken to simplify it to a desired form. The person asking for help is confident in their work but cannot seem to find the correct approach. After some back and forth, it is determined that there was a sign error in the original expression and the correct simplified form is A = e^{mx}. The conversation ends with the person correcting their original post to reflect the correct exponent.
  • #1
Saladsamurai
3,020
7

Homework Statement



I at a point in a derivation where I have the expression:

[tex]A = \frac{e^{mx} - e^{2ml - mx}}{1-e^{2ml}}[/tex]

I have double checked my work leading up to this point, so i am confident my expression for 'A' is correct. I am supposed to reduce it to

[tex]A = e^{mx}[/tex]

but I am not seeing the trick here. I have tried numerous approaches from factoring the denominator and various arrangements of the numerator. I have a feeling it is one of those random tricks i need. Any thoughts?
 
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  • #2
Saladsamurai said:

Homework Statement



I at a point in a derivation where I have the expression:

[tex]A = \frac{e^{mx} - e^{2ml - mx}}{1-e^{2ml}}[/tex]
I think you might have a sign error in the exponent on the first term in the numerator.

Assuming this is the case for the moment, you have
[tex]A = \frac{e^{-mx} - e^{2ml - mx}}{1-e^{2ml}}[/tex]
[tex]= \frac{e^{-mx} - e^{2ml}\cdot e^{ -mx}}{1-e^{2ml}}[/tex]
[tex]= \frac{e^{-mx}(1 - e^{2ml})}{1-e^{2ml}} = e^{-mx}[/tex]
Saladsamurai said:
I have double checked my work leading up to this point, so i am confident my expression for 'A' is correct. I am supposed to reduce it to

[tex]A = e^{-mx}[/tex]

but I am not seeing the trick here. I have tried numerous approaches from factoring the denominator and various arrangements of the numerator. I have a feeling it is one of those random tricks i need. Any thoughts?
 
  • #3
Saladsamurai said:

Homework Statement



I at a point in a derivation where I have the expression:

[tex]A = \frac{e^{mx} - e^{2ml - mx}}{1-e^{2ml}}[/tex]

I have double checked my work leading up to this point, so i am confident my expression for 'A' is correct. I am supposed to reduce it to

[tex]A = e^{-mx}[/tex]

but I am not seeing the trick here. I have tried numerous approaches from factoring the denominator and various arrangements of the numerator. I have a feeling it is one of those random tricks i need. Any thoughts?



I'm sorry it's supposed to come out to be a positive exponent. That is,

[tex]A = e^{mx}[/tex]

I have edited OP.
 
  • #4
In that case, I think your error is in the second term in the numerator.
[tex]A = \frac{e^{mx} - e^{2ml + mx}}{1-e^{2ml}}[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{e^{mx} - e^{2ml}\cdot e^{ mx}}{1-e^{2ml}}[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{e^{mx}(1 - e^{2ml})}{1-e^{2ml}} = e^{mx}[/tex]
 

FAQ: How can I reduce this expression to e^{mx}?

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