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How do I show that $3^{x}+4^{x} = 5^{x}$ has exactly one real root.

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    Side note: complex solutions $x$ can also be studied. (Michael Lapidus has a book on "complex dimensions".)2012-06-04

3 Answers 3

10

Hints:

  • Let $\displaystyle f(x) = \biggl(\frac{3}{5}\biggr)^{x} + \biggl(\frac{4}{5}\biggr)^{x} -1$

  • Note : $f'(x) < 0$ and $f(2)=0$. Apply Rolle's Theorem.

10

Rewrite our equation as $$\left(\frac{3}{5}\right)^x+\left(\frac{4}{5}\right)^x=1.$$ We have the familiar solution $x=2$.

If $x>2$, then $\left(\frac{3}{5}\right)^x \lt \left(\frac{3}{5}\right)^2$ and $\left(\frac{4}{5}\right)^x \lt \left(\frac{4}{5}\right)^2$, and therefore $$\left(\frac{3}{5}\right)^x+\left(\frac{4}{5}\right)^x \lt 1.$$ Similarly, if $x<2$ then $\left(\frac{3}{5}\right)^x \gt \left(\frac{3}{5}\right)^2$ and $\left(\frac{4}{5}\right)^x \gt \left(\frac{4}{5}\right)^2$, so $$\left(\frac{3}{5}\right)^x+\left(\frac{4}{5}\right)^x \gt 1.$$

  • 1
    Ah nice. It's elementary2012-06-04
3

Consider our equation as: $$\left(\frac{3}{5}\right)^x+\left(\frac{4}{5}\right)^x=1.$$

Notice that left side is a sum of 2 monotonically decreasing functions and their sum is a monotonically decreasing function. Hence, the only possible solution is x=2.

The proof is complete.

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    Do not say "nonincreasing", since there could be multiple solutions for nonincreasing function in general. Instead say "decreasing".2012-06-04
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    @GEdgar: you're right. OK.2012-06-04