precal, exponential problem: Given 5^x > x, solve for x.

sorry, i was so tired last night. yeah, if anyone please could help me i would appreciate it. also, i wanna try solving algebraically not by graphing.
 
muon012 said:
… i wanna try solving algebraically not by graphing.
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There is no algebraic solution because 5^x is not an algebraic function. (It's a transcendental function.)

You could make arguments without graphs, however. Have you learned the difference between exponential growth and linear growth? Are you familiar with geometric and arithmetic sequences?
 
muon012 said:
i wanna try solving algebraically not by graphing.
Click to expand...

As has been said, this can't be solved by typical algebraic methods (because the variable appears both in the exponent and outside the exponent), though you can prove the answer by algebraic reasoning. But this reasoning will be helped by first understanding the situation, and a graph is a good way to start. This will reveal the answer clearly, and give a direction in which to direct your thinking.
 
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