Factorial inverse equation
$begingroup$
I need to find a solution to a problem and I need to solve an equation. The following equation is the result of some manipulation.
I'm a little bit rusty and I can't see how to find a simple solution ( to be honest I can't find a solution at all ):
$e^{-A} cdot A^x = x! cdot K$
What I need is $x$. $A$ and $K$ are real, positive constant numbers an I'm expecting the solution would be real and positive. Does anyone has suggestions ?
factorial poisson-distribution
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I need to find a solution to a problem and I need to solve an equation. The following equation is the result of some manipulation.
I'm a little bit rusty and I can't see how to find a simple solution ( to be honest I can't find a solution at all ):
$e^{-A} cdot A^x = x! cdot K$
What I need is $x$. $A$ and $K$ are real, positive constant numbers an I'm expecting the solution would be real and positive. Does anyone has suggestions ?
factorial poisson-distribution
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
So... are we using the Gamma function? Since it is very unlikely that $x$ is an integer...
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:08
$begingroup$
Note that if we restrict $x>0$, it is plenty likely that there may be no such solutions.
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:12
$begingroup$
Well, to be honest i don't know what the Gamma function is, but to be precise $x$ is a natural ( integer $>= 0$ ), because it rapresent the number of defect in an wafer of silicon. So it's reasonable to think to it as an integer bigger than zero. Does it help ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14
1
$begingroup$
It makes it almost certain that there is no solution.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I need to find a solution to a problem and I need to solve an equation. The following equation is the result of some manipulation.
I'm a little bit rusty and I can't see how to find a simple solution ( to be honest I can't find a solution at all ):
$e^{-A} cdot A^x = x! cdot K$
What I need is $x$. $A$ and $K$ are real, positive constant numbers an I'm expecting the solution would be real and positive. Does anyone has suggestions ?
factorial poisson-distribution
$endgroup$
I need to find a solution to a problem and I need to solve an equation. The following equation is the result of some manipulation.
I'm a little bit rusty and I can't see how to find a simple solution ( to be honest I can't find a solution at all ):
$e^{-A} cdot A^x = x! cdot K$
What I need is $x$. $A$ and $K$ are real, positive constant numbers an I'm expecting the solution would be real and positive. Does anyone has suggestions ?
factorial poisson-distribution
factorial poisson-distribution
asked Dec 19 '16 at 16:06
haster8558haster8558
43
43
1
$begingroup$
So... are we using the Gamma function? Since it is very unlikely that $x$ is an integer...
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:08
$begingroup$
Note that if we restrict $x>0$, it is plenty likely that there may be no such solutions.
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:12
$begingroup$
Well, to be honest i don't know what the Gamma function is, but to be precise $x$ is a natural ( integer $>= 0$ ), because it rapresent the number of defect in an wafer of silicon. So it's reasonable to think to it as an integer bigger than zero. Does it help ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14
1
$begingroup$
It makes it almost certain that there is no solution.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
So... are we using the Gamma function? Since it is very unlikely that $x$ is an integer...
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:08
$begingroup$
Note that if we restrict $x>0$, it is plenty likely that there may be no such solutions.
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:12
$begingroup$
Well, to be honest i don't know what the Gamma function is, but to be precise $x$ is a natural ( integer $>= 0$ ), because it rapresent the number of defect in an wafer of silicon. So it's reasonable to think to it as an integer bigger than zero. Does it help ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14
1
$begingroup$
It makes it almost certain that there is no solution.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14
1
1
$begingroup$
So... are we using the Gamma function? Since it is very unlikely that $x$ is an integer...
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:08
$begingroup$
So... are we using the Gamma function? Since it is very unlikely that $x$ is an integer...
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:08
$begingroup$
Note that if we restrict $x>0$, it is plenty likely that there may be no such solutions.
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:12
$begingroup$
Note that if we restrict $x>0$, it is plenty likely that there may be no such solutions.
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:12
$begingroup$
Well, to be honest i don't know what the Gamma function is, but to be precise $x$ is a natural ( integer $>= 0$ ), because it rapresent the number of defect in an wafer of silicon. So it's reasonable to think to it as an integer bigger than zero. Does it help ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14
$begingroup$
Well, to be honest i don't know what the Gamma function is, but to be precise $x$ is a natural ( integer $>= 0$ ), because it rapresent the number of defect in an wafer of silicon. So it's reasonable to think to it as an integer bigger than zero. Does it help ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14
1
1
$begingroup$
It makes it almost certain that there is no solution.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14
$begingroup$
It makes it almost certain that there is no solution.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Before trying to solve this equation, I think it is better to get a sense of the possible solutions. Maybe this graph could help:
As you see, the solution is not unique for some values of $A$ and $K$, while it doesn't have any solution for some positive values of $A$ and $K$.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Looking this I got an idea. I can plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^y = x! cdot K$ and then plot the equation $x = y$. The solution is in the cross. The only problem is to find the values a reasonable range for $x$ and $y$ .
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 17:44
$begingroup$
@haster8558 Why not just plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^x - x! cdot K$ and then find its roots?
$endgroup$
– polfosol
Dec 19 '16 at 18:14
$begingroup$
Ah right. I was in rush. It's definitely better. Thanks!!!
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 18:38
add a comment |
$begingroup$
$x!$ is not defined for arbitrary real positive $x$, just for nonnegative integers. You could replace it by $Gamma(x+1)$. But still your equation can't be solved in "closed form". Numerical methods might be tried.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Ok, so it isn't possible to get a solution in closed form but it has some solutions. Any idea how to find a numerical solution ? Any algorithm simple to implement ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:19
$begingroup$
Newton's method should work. It might be better to work with the logarithms of both sides of the equation, to avoid numerical overflow.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 20:36
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Here's a possible solution - not sure if it will be of particularly good numerical stability. Take logs:
$$ ln{(e^{-A} A^x)} = ln{(x! K)} implies - A + x ln{A} = ln{x!} + ln{K}.$$
You might be able to solve this numerically if you use a an accurate enough approximation for $ln x!,$ using the Stirling series:
$$ ln x! approx x ln x - x + frac{1}{2} ln{2pi x} + frac{1}{12 x} - frac{1}{360 x^3} + dots$$
so a solution will be close to the solution of, say,
$$ x ln x - (1 + ln A)x+frac{1}{2} ln{2pi x} + (A + ln K) = 0.$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
Your Answer
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Before trying to solve this equation, I think it is better to get a sense of the possible solutions. Maybe this graph could help:
As you see, the solution is not unique for some values of $A$ and $K$, while it doesn't have any solution for some positive values of $A$ and $K$.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Looking this I got an idea. I can plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^y = x! cdot K$ and then plot the equation $x = y$. The solution is in the cross. The only problem is to find the values a reasonable range for $x$ and $y$ .
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 17:44
$begingroup$
@haster8558 Why not just plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^x - x! cdot K$ and then find its roots?
$endgroup$
– polfosol
Dec 19 '16 at 18:14
$begingroup$
Ah right. I was in rush. It's definitely better. Thanks!!!
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 18:38
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Before trying to solve this equation, I think it is better to get a sense of the possible solutions. Maybe this graph could help:
As you see, the solution is not unique for some values of $A$ and $K$, while it doesn't have any solution for some positive values of $A$ and $K$.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Looking this I got an idea. I can plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^y = x! cdot K$ and then plot the equation $x = y$. The solution is in the cross. The only problem is to find the values a reasonable range for $x$ and $y$ .
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 17:44
$begingroup$
@haster8558 Why not just plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^x - x! cdot K$ and then find its roots?
$endgroup$
– polfosol
Dec 19 '16 at 18:14
$begingroup$
Ah right. I was in rush. It's definitely better. Thanks!!!
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 18:38
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Before trying to solve this equation, I think it is better to get a sense of the possible solutions. Maybe this graph could help:
As you see, the solution is not unique for some values of $A$ and $K$, while it doesn't have any solution for some positive values of $A$ and $K$.
$endgroup$
Before trying to solve this equation, I think it is better to get a sense of the possible solutions. Maybe this graph could help:
As you see, the solution is not unique for some values of $A$ and $K$, while it doesn't have any solution for some positive values of $A$ and $K$.
answered Dec 19 '16 at 17:14
polfosolpolfosol
5,55731945
5,55731945
$begingroup$
Looking this I got an idea. I can plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^y = x! cdot K$ and then plot the equation $x = y$. The solution is in the cross. The only problem is to find the values a reasonable range for $x$ and $y$ .
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 17:44
$begingroup$
@haster8558 Why not just plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^x - x! cdot K$ and then find its roots?
$endgroup$
– polfosol
Dec 19 '16 at 18:14
$begingroup$
Ah right. I was in rush. It's definitely better. Thanks!!!
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 18:38
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Looking this I got an idea. I can plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^y = x! cdot K$ and then plot the equation $x = y$. The solution is in the cross. The only problem is to find the values a reasonable range for $x$ and $y$ .
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 17:44
$begingroup$
@haster8558 Why not just plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^x - x! cdot K$ and then find its roots?
$endgroup$
– polfosol
Dec 19 '16 at 18:14
$begingroup$
Ah right. I was in rush. It's definitely better. Thanks!!!
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 18:38
$begingroup$
Looking this I got an idea. I can plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^y = x! cdot K$ and then plot the equation $x = y$. The solution is in the cross. The only problem is to find the values a reasonable range for $x$ and $y$ .
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 17:44
$begingroup$
Looking this I got an idea. I can plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^y = x! cdot K$ and then plot the equation $x = y$. The solution is in the cross. The only problem is to find the values a reasonable range for $x$ and $y$ .
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 17:44
$begingroup$
@haster8558 Why not just plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^x - x! cdot K$ and then find its roots?
$endgroup$
– polfosol
Dec 19 '16 at 18:14
$begingroup$
@haster8558 Why not just plot the function $e^{-A} cdot A^x - x! cdot K$ and then find its roots?
$endgroup$
– polfosol
Dec 19 '16 at 18:14
$begingroup$
Ah right. I was in rush. It's definitely better. Thanks!!!
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 18:38
$begingroup$
Ah right. I was in rush. It's definitely better. Thanks!!!
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 18:38
add a comment |
$begingroup$
$x!$ is not defined for arbitrary real positive $x$, just for nonnegative integers. You could replace it by $Gamma(x+1)$. But still your equation can't be solved in "closed form". Numerical methods might be tried.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Ok, so it isn't possible to get a solution in closed form but it has some solutions. Any idea how to find a numerical solution ? Any algorithm simple to implement ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:19
$begingroup$
Newton's method should work. It might be better to work with the logarithms of both sides of the equation, to avoid numerical overflow.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 20:36
add a comment |
$begingroup$
$x!$ is not defined for arbitrary real positive $x$, just for nonnegative integers. You could replace it by $Gamma(x+1)$. But still your equation can't be solved in "closed form". Numerical methods might be tried.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Ok, so it isn't possible to get a solution in closed form but it has some solutions. Any idea how to find a numerical solution ? Any algorithm simple to implement ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:19
$begingroup$
Newton's method should work. It might be better to work with the logarithms of both sides of the equation, to avoid numerical overflow.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 20:36
add a comment |
$begingroup$
$x!$ is not defined for arbitrary real positive $x$, just for nonnegative integers. You could replace it by $Gamma(x+1)$. But still your equation can't be solved in "closed form". Numerical methods might be tried.
$endgroup$
$x!$ is not defined for arbitrary real positive $x$, just for nonnegative integers. You could replace it by $Gamma(x+1)$. But still your equation can't be solved in "closed form". Numerical methods might be tried.
answered Dec 19 '16 at 16:13
Robert IsraelRobert Israel
320k23209459
320k23209459
$begingroup$
Ok, so it isn't possible to get a solution in closed form but it has some solutions. Any idea how to find a numerical solution ? Any algorithm simple to implement ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:19
$begingroup$
Newton's method should work. It might be better to work with the logarithms of both sides of the equation, to avoid numerical overflow.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 20:36
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Ok, so it isn't possible to get a solution in closed form but it has some solutions. Any idea how to find a numerical solution ? Any algorithm simple to implement ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:19
$begingroup$
Newton's method should work. It might be better to work with the logarithms of both sides of the equation, to avoid numerical overflow.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 20:36
$begingroup$
Ok, so it isn't possible to get a solution in closed form but it has some solutions. Any idea how to find a numerical solution ? Any algorithm simple to implement ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:19
$begingroup$
Ok, so it isn't possible to get a solution in closed form but it has some solutions. Any idea how to find a numerical solution ? Any algorithm simple to implement ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:19
$begingroup$
Newton's method should work. It might be better to work with the logarithms of both sides of the equation, to avoid numerical overflow.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 20:36
$begingroup$
Newton's method should work. It might be better to work with the logarithms of both sides of the equation, to avoid numerical overflow.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 20:36
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Here's a possible solution - not sure if it will be of particularly good numerical stability. Take logs:
$$ ln{(e^{-A} A^x)} = ln{(x! K)} implies - A + x ln{A} = ln{x!} + ln{K}.$$
You might be able to solve this numerically if you use a an accurate enough approximation for $ln x!,$ using the Stirling series:
$$ ln x! approx x ln x - x + frac{1}{2} ln{2pi x} + frac{1}{12 x} - frac{1}{360 x^3} + dots$$
so a solution will be close to the solution of, say,
$$ x ln x - (1 + ln A)x+frac{1}{2} ln{2pi x} + (A + ln K) = 0.$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Here's a possible solution - not sure if it will be of particularly good numerical stability. Take logs:
$$ ln{(e^{-A} A^x)} = ln{(x! K)} implies - A + x ln{A} = ln{x!} + ln{K}.$$
You might be able to solve this numerically if you use a an accurate enough approximation for $ln x!,$ using the Stirling series:
$$ ln x! approx x ln x - x + frac{1}{2} ln{2pi x} + frac{1}{12 x} - frac{1}{360 x^3} + dots$$
so a solution will be close to the solution of, say,
$$ x ln x - (1 + ln A)x+frac{1}{2} ln{2pi x} + (A + ln K) = 0.$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Here's a possible solution - not sure if it will be of particularly good numerical stability. Take logs:
$$ ln{(e^{-A} A^x)} = ln{(x! K)} implies - A + x ln{A} = ln{x!} + ln{K}.$$
You might be able to solve this numerically if you use a an accurate enough approximation for $ln x!,$ using the Stirling series:
$$ ln x! approx x ln x - x + frac{1}{2} ln{2pi x} + frac{1}{12 x} - frac{1}{360 x^3} + dots$$
so a solution will be close to the solution of, say,
$$ x ln x - (1 + ln A)x+frac{1}{2} ln{2pi x} + (A + ln K) = 0.$$
$endgroup$
Here's a possible solution - not sure if it will be of particularly good numerical stability. Take logs:
$$ ln{(e^{-A} A^x)} = ln{(x! K)} implies - A + x ln{A} = ln{x!} + ln{K}.$$
You might be able to solve this numerically if you use a an accurate enough approximation for $ln x!,$ using the Stirling series:
$$ ln x! approx x ln x - x + frac{1}{2} ln{2pi x} + frac{1}{12 x} - frac{1}{360 x^3} + dots$$
so a solution will be close to the solution of, say,
$$ x ln x - (1 + ln A)x+frac{1}{2} ln{2pi x} + (A + ln K) = 0.$$
answered Dec 19 '16 at 17:05
NitinNitin
2,4441024
2,4441024
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
$begingroup$
So... are we using the Gamma function? Since it is very unlikely that $x$ is an integer...
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:08
$begingroup$
Note that if we restrict $x>0$, it is plenty likely that there may be no such solutions.
$endgroup$
– Simply Beautiful Art
Dec 19 '16 at 16:12
$begingroup$
Well, to be honest i don't know what the Gamma function is, but to be precise $x$ is a natural ( integer $>= 0$ ), because it rapresent the number of defect in an wafer of silicon. So it's reasonable to think to it as an integer bigger than zero. Does it help ?
$endgroup$
– haster8558
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14
1
$begingroup$
It makes it almost certain that there is no solution.
$endgroup$
– Robert Israel
Dec 19 '16 at 16:14