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Looking for a closed-form solution using Solve[ ]

Posted 5 years ago

I was wondering if a closed form solution does exist for the following equation:

a^2 Exp[x/a] + x^2/2 (1 - b) - a^2 - a x Exp[x/a] = 0

where a and b are Real numbers. I would like to obtain a solution of the form x=f(a,b). I tried to use the following command:

Solve[a^2*Exp[x/a] + x^2/2*(1 - b) - a^2 - a*x*Exp[x/a] == 0, x, 
 Assumptions -> Element[a, Reals], Assumptions -> Element[b, Reals]]

but I obtained the following message: Solve: This system cannot be solved with the methods available to Solve.

I was wondering whether I could use the Lambert W function to solve this equation or if there is any way to obtain an approximated solution of this equation. I am looking for a solution for x<0, and I know that a>0, if this can make any difference. Thank you.

Edited after the 1st reply: The last sentence is probably superfluous: I am interested in the general closed-form solution of this equation. Then, I will use the part of solution when x<0 (which happens when 0<b<1).

4 Replies

Thank you for the suggestion.

POSTED BY: Neil Singer

It does not appear to have solutions for x<0. Just a cursory numerical exploration gives:

ans = Table[
  NSolve[a^2*Exp[x/a] + x^2/2*(1 - b) - a^2 - a*x*Exp[x/a] == 0 , x, 
   Reals], {a, 1, 10}, {b, -5, 5}]

All solutions are zero and a positive number for x. I would make sure the equation is correct before "diving into" solving it.

Regards

Neil

POSTED BY: Neil Singer
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