03/25/2008, 10:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 03/25/2008, 10:11 PM by James Knight.)
I submitted this proof/research to the University of Waterloo for scholarship consideration about a month ago. Here goes. (note. it's not exactly the same as I am writing it from memory!)
Since the beginning of Mathematics, Mathematicians have been trying to provide detailed solutions to complex problems. However, these solutions are limited to what the mathematic community has accepted and can interpret.In addition, there are many other limitations mathematicians may face when providing a solution to a problem. One of these limitations is the lack knowledge or ideas of a certain topic (ie. it's never been thought of before). Tetration is one of these ideas that did not exist because it was still in development.
Johann Lambert found an equation that he could not solve using the algebra of his time. The equation looked similar to this;
2^t = 6t. Even though it looks simple, if one uses traditional algebra they will surely become frustrated (**traditional algebra does not include tetration). However, Lambert proposed that there must be a value or values which satisfy the equation. He considered the answer to w e^w = x to be w = W(x). In turn, this would be used to solve equations such as the first one given.
Although he answered the problem, he was not able to absolutely deifine his function. That was in the 1700's. It's now 2008 and we have developed a broad range of mathematical knowledge and understanding. We are able now to accurately define the Lambert W function. Let me show you what I mean!
Let us take the equation w(e^w) = x and put w in terms of x.
Recall that
Idea#1 (a^b)^a = a^ba
Idea#2 (a^b)#2 = (a^b)^(a^b) = a^(ba^b)
Idea#3if (a)^b = a^d b = d and reversely if b = d, a^b = a^d
Then I will apply a base e ( make both sides the exponent of e) Idea #3
e^(we^w) = e^x
Then I work backwards with idea #2 and #1 to produce:
(e^w)#2 = e^x
Take the super square root of both sides
e^w =
w = ln (ssrt (e^x))
Therefore W(x) = ln ssrt (e^X)
We could use the New Lambert W function to solve equations like
2^t = 6t but it is truly unnecessary and inefficient. Using this new concept of exponential factoring and super square rooting we can easily solve this equation accurately.
2^t = 6t
Divide both sides by 6 (2^t)
1/6 = t(2^(-t))
Multiply both sides by -1
-1/6 = -t (2^-t)
Apply base of 2 to both sides.
2 ^(-1/6) = 2^(-t)(2^-t)
Factor Exponent
2^(-1/6) = (2^(-t))#2
Super square root each side
ssrt (2^(-1/6)) = 2 ^ (-t)
Take the log base 2 of each side and multiply by -1
(note lb = log base 2 = binary log)
t = - lb (ssrt( 2^(-1/6)))
Therefore, because we have new ideas and broader knowledge, we are able to more accurately and precisely define the Lambert W function. In the future, we must always remember to keep an open mind when it comes to mathematics as new ideas and concepts are being created.
Hoped you enjoy this!!
James
Since the beginning of Mathematics, Mathematicians have been trying to provide detailed solutions to complex problems. However, these solutions are limited to what the mathematic community has accepted and can interpret.In addition, there are many other limitations mathematicians may face when providing a solution to a problem. One of these limitations is the lack knowledge or ideas of a certain topic (ie. it's never been thought of before). Tetration is one of these ideas that did not exist because it was still in development.
Johann Lambert found an equation that he could not solve using the algebra of his time. The equation looked similar to this;
2^t = 6t. Even though it looks simple, if one uses traditional algebra they will surely become frustrated (**traditional algebra does not include tetration). However, Lambert proposed that there must be a value or values which satisfy the equation. He considered the answer to w e^w = x to be w = W(x). In turn, this would be used to solve equations such as the first one given.
Although he answered the problem, he was not able to absolutely deifine his function. That was in the 1700's. It's now 2008 and we have developed a broad range of mathematical knowledge and understanding. We are able now to accurately define the Lambert W function. Let me show you what I mean!
Let us take the equation w(e^w) = x and put w in terms of x.
Recall that
Idea#1 (a^b)^a = a^ba
Idea#2 (a^b)#2 = (a^b)^(a^b) = a^(ba^b)
Idea#3if (a)^b = a^d b = d and reversely if b = d, a^b = a^d
Then I will apply a base e ( make both sides the exponent of e) Idea #3
e^(we^w) = e^x
Then I work backwards with idea #2 and #1 to produce:
(e^w)#2 = e^x
Take the super square root of both sides
e^w =
w = ln (ssrt (e^x))
Therefore W(x) = ln ssrt (e^X)
We could use the New Lambert W function to solve equations like
2^t = 6t but it is truly unnecessary and inefficient. Using this new concept of exponential factoring and super square rooting we can easily solve this equation accurately.
2^t = 6t
Divide both sides by 6 (2^t)
1/6 = t(2^(-t))
Multiply both sides by -1
-1/6 = -t (2^-t)
Apply base of 2 to both sides.
2 ^(-1/6) = 2^(-t)(2^-t)
Factor Exponent
2^(-1/6) = (2^(-t))#2
Super square root each side
ssrt (2^(-1/6)) = 2 ^ (-t)
Take the log base 2 of each side and multiply by -1
(note lb = log base 2 = binary log)
t = - lb (ssrt( 2^(-1/6)))
Therefore, because we have new ideas and broader knowledge, we are able to more accurately and precisely define the Lambert W function. In the future, we must always remember to keep an open mind when it comes to mathematics as new ideas and concepts are being created.
Hoped you enjoy this!!
James