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Why doesn't Wolfram Alpha understand: solve (x^(x^x))=2 for x ?

Why doesn't Wolfram Alpha understand: solve (x^(x^x))=2 for x ?
For example, the equation x^x=2 has the solution x = e^W(log(2))≈1.55961.

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What solution are you expecting?

POSTED BY: Daniel Lichtblau

If $W(z)$ denotes the solution to $z = W\;e^W$, $W \ge -1$, then for $x = e^{W(\log(2))}$, $x^{x^x}$ evaluates to $2.4...$ for me. So maybe $W$ denotes something else?

Also, "solve (x^(x^x))=2 for x > 0" gives the solution $x = 1.47668$ on WolframAlpha, but it gives only a numerical solution:

https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=solve+%28x%5E%28x%5Ex%29%29%3D2+for+x+%3E+0

Changing "solve" to "plot" gives a graphical illustration confirming a solution near $x=1.47...$:

https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=plot+%28x%5E%28x%5Ex%29%29%3D2+for+x+%3E+0

POSTED BY: Michael Rogers
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