the following equation cannot be solved symbolically. solve the equation graphically.

Question

the following equation cannot be solved symbolically. solve the equation graphically.

 

          x

4x + e   = 2

 

x = ?

 

(Round to the nearest hundredth as needed) 

Answer 1

4x + e^x = 2

 

Graph f(x) = e^x and g(x) = 2 - 4x on your graphing calculator; the intersection point's x-value is the approximate solution.

 

Here's a GeoGebra graph:

http://www.wyzant.com/resources/files/263257/graphic_solution_linear_and_exponential_terms

 

x ≈ 0.195898991886828

 

check:

 

4(0.195898991886828) + e^(0.195898991886828) =? 2

 

1.99999999999998 ≈ 2 √

Answer 2

 

Hi Keith,

       This site does not have graphing functionality the answer is approximately .1959. You can also solve by assuming different values for x and  plug into 4x+e^x and see how close this value is to 2 and repeat until the computed value gets close to 2.

 

Jim