How can I transform exponential equation?

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Konrad Dadej
Konrad Dadej on 15 Oct 2017
Commented: Konrad Dadej on 6 Nov 2017
I try to transform following exponential equation. I would like to obtain an analytical equation for x:
>> syms P A B x y z n
>> eqn1= P== A*((x+y)^n)+B*(x+z)
eqn1 =
P == A*(x + y)^n + B*(x + z)
>> solve (eqn1,x)
Warning: Unable to find explicit solution. For options, see
help.
> In solve (line 317)
ans =
Empty sym: 0-by-1
Any ideas why MATLAB can not solve above code?

Answers (1)

John D'Errico
John D'Errico on 15 Oct 2017
Edited: John D'Errico on 15 Oct 2017
Is there some reason why you think an analytical solution exists?
In fact, there is no analytical solution. Wanting magic to happen is not sufficient. How are your skills with a magic wand?
For example, suppose that n is greater than 4? There is a rather famous theorem showing that a polynomial equation of order greater than or equal to 5 has no analytical solution.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abel–Ruffini_theorem
But in your case, n is completely unknown. n is a variable. So you have essentially a polynomial equation with non-constant coefficients, of completely unknown degree.
Only a crystal ball will suffice for you here.
  2 Comments
Walter Roberson
Walter Roberson on 16 Oct 2017
Yup. Let A = 1, B = 2, n = 5, y = 0, z = 1, P = 0, so 0 = 1*(x + 0)^5 + 2*(x+1), so x^5 + 2*x + 2 = 0 . There are no closed form solutions to that.
Konrad Dadej
Konrad Dadej on 6 Nov 2017
Thank you for answer - it is clear.
However, I wonder if the following assumptions would make it possible to solve? P>0 A>0 B>0 x>0 0<n<1 -1<y<1 -1<z<1 Is anybody can try to solve it?

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