Matlab: Solving a equation: Warning: Explicit solution could not be found

Question

I have a equation like this: 2^n * exp((-p*k*n*(k*n-(k+1)*2^t)))/((k+1)^2*2^(2*t+1))- 1=0. I tried using the follwing code, but it gives me a warning that "Explicit solution could not be found".

syms n k t p positive;
S=solve(2^n * exp((-p*k*n*(k*n-(k+1)*2^t)))/((k+1)^2*2^(2*t+1))- 1,n,'IgnoreAnalyticConstraints', true);
S

Is there a way to solve the equation in terms on n? Thanks in advance

Works fine in R2013b. Older versions aren't always as adept. Which version do you have? Try not making the variables positive and/or disabling the 'IgnoreAnalyticConstraits' option. — horchler
thanks for the response. I was using R2011b. I will try with R2013b. — tap1cse

Ruslan Masinjila Ruslan Masinjila · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-28T01:24:06

Short answer: NO

MATLAB tries to find an "Explicit" solution, one in which variable n is expressed in terms of the other variables. In your case, the solution is "Implicit", meaning that variable n cannot be isolated and thus appears on both sides of the equation.

I used a different tool and here is what I got.

[e^((-k^2-k)np*2^t+k^2*n^2*p)=2^(-2*t+n-1)/(k^2+2*k+1)]

As you can see, n appears on both sides.

You might want to take a look at this post

Matlab: Solving a equation: Warning: Explicit solution could not be found

1 Answers