Solve Equation: Find Real $a$ for $10^a+12^a-14^a=13^a-11^a$

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In summary, the only real number that satisfies the equation $10^a+12^a-14^a=13^a-11^a$ is $a=2$. This can be seen by considering the function $f(x) = 10^{x} + 11^{x} + 12^{x} - 13^{x} - 14^{x}$, which has a single zero at $x=2$ and is always positive for all other values of $x$. Therefore, $a=2$ is the only solution for this equation.
  • #1
anemone
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Find all real numbers $a$ for which $10^a+12^a-14^a=13^a-11^a$.
 
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  • #2
anemone said:
Find all real numbers $a$ for which $10^a+12^a-14^a=13^a-11^a$.

a= 2
is a aolution

Take $f(a) = 14^a + 13^a – 12^a – 11 ^a – 10 ^a
= (14^a – 12^a) + (13^a – 11^a ) – 10^a$
We have $14^3 – 12^3 > 10^3$ and gap increases for a >=3 the expression is positive
So we need to look for value < 3
Check for 0 , 1, 2 and we see that a =2 is the integer solution
It may have some non integer solution
 
  • #3
anemone said:
Find all real numbers $a$ for which $10^a+12^a-14^a=13^a-11^a$.

[sp]Let's consider the function...

$\displaystyle f(x) = 10^{x} + 11^{x} + 12^{x} - 13^{x} - 14^{x}\ (1)$

By inspection we find easily that (1) vanishes for x=2. For x>2 the negative terms of (1) are dominating, so that thye function sharply decreases. For x<2 the positive terms of (1) are dominating so that is $\lim_{x \rightarrow - \infty} f(x) = 0$ and everywhere is f(x) > 0. The conclusion is that x=2 is the only zero of f(x)...[/sp]

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #4
anemone said:
Find all real numbers $a$ for which $10^a+12^a-14^a=13^a-11^a$.

Solution:

Given $10^a+11^a+12^a = 13^a+14^a$

Now Divide both side by $(12.5)^a$, where $(11.5)^a>0\forall a\in \mathbb{R}$

So $\displaystyle \left(\frac{10}{12.5}\right)^a+\left(\frac{11}{12.5}\right)^a+\left(\frac{12}{12.5}\right)^a = \left(\frac{13}{12.5}\right)^a+\left(\frac{14}{12.5}\right)^a$

So Here $\bf{L.H.S}$ is a sum of strictly Decreasing function while $\bf{R.H.S}$ is a sum of strictly increasing function.

So these two exponential curves intersect each other exactly at one point

So by inspection we get $a = 2$ only solution.
 
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  • #5


To solve this equation, we can use the fact that $a^0=1$ for any real number $a$. Therefore, we can rewrite the equation as $(10^a-11^a)+(12^a-13^a)-(14^a-14^0)=0$. Using the properties of exponents, we can simplify this to $10^a(1-1)+12^a(1-1)-14^a(1-1)=0$. This simplifies further to $0=0$, showing that the equation is true for all real numbers $a$. Therefore, there is an infinite number of solutions for this equation.
 

FAQ: Solve Equation: Find Real $a$ for $10^a+12^a-14^a=13^a-11^a$

What is the equation trying to solve?

The equation is trying to find the value of real number a that satisfies the equation: 10^a + 12^a - 14^a = 13^a - 11^a.

How many solutions does this equation have?

This equation has infinitely many solutions.

Can the equation be solved algebraically?

No, this equation cannot be solved algebraically. It requires the use of numerical methods to approximate the solutions.

What numerical methods can be used to solve this equation?

Some numerical methods that can be used to solve this equation include the bisection method, Newton's method, and the secant method.

How can we check if a solution is correct?

To check if a solution is correct, we can substitute the value of a into the equation and see if it satisfies the equation.

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