College calculus question... Find value of k?
For what value of k does the equation e^2x=k(square-root x) have exactly on solution.
The last half of the equation is k times the root of x, if that was not clear
2 Answers
- Snrpatel10Lv 67 years agoFavorite Answer
e^(2x) = k√(x)
We first have to assume that, (e^(2x)) = k√(x), has a unique solution. If that's the case then, (e^2x) / √(x) = k, must have a unique solution as well.
As a result the unique solution for, (e^2x) / √(x), occurs at the minimum value for the curve:
y = e^(2x) / √x
Taking the derivative of the function:
y = e^(2x) / √x
y' = (e^2x) * [ (2√x) - (1 / 2√x) ] / x
y' = (e^2x) * [ (2 / √x) - (1 / 2√(x³)) ]
From here, we solve for x. Doing so will give us:
(e^2x) * [ (2 / √x) - (1 / 2√(x³)) ] = 0
[ (2 / √x) - (1 / 2√(x³)) ] = 0
[ (4x - 1) / √(x³) ] = 0
4x - 1 = 0
x = 1/4
We therefore have:
(e^2x) = k√(x)
k = (e^2x) / √x
Substituting 1/4 for all values of x will give us:
k = (e^1/2) / √(1/4)
k = (e^1/2) / (1/2)
e^(1/2) = e
k = e / 1/2
Final Answer:
k = 2e