# How to solve for $x$ in $x^3+8^x-9=0$

How to find real numbers $x$ that are solutions to $$x^3+8^x-9=0$$ Please help me.

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Another hint to go along with BMS's answer, look at a plot of the function, for example, using WA. Regards –  Amzoti Jan 19 '13 at 20:34
One more suggestion: many problems of this type (not all, of course) can be solved for $x$ using Lambert-W function (see Wiki entry on examples), but this is not a 'closed-form' solution –  Alex Jan 19 '13 at 21:39

# $$\color{blue}{x\leq1}\space and \space \color{red}{x\geq1} \Rightarrow\space \color{green} {x=1}$$

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Very nice solution! –  Seirios Jan 20 '13 at 10:17
Nice solution +1 –  elbek Apr 18 '14 at 19:51

HINT: Try a few small whole numbers, and you’ll quickly find a solution. Note also that $x^3+8^x$ is an increasing function of $x$, so there can be at most one solution.

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yes i found x=1 but i want Algebraic solution –  Fashfeesh Food Jan 19 '13 at 20:27
@FashfeeshFood: I’d be surprised if there were one. I’d be very much surprised if there were a straightforward one. –  Brian M. Scott Jan 19 '13 at 20:41

Note that \begin{align} x^3+8^x-9=0\iff & \begin{cases} x^3-1=2^3-(2^{x})^3\\ x^3-8=1^3-(2^{x})^3\\ \end{cases} \\ \iff & \begin{cases} (x-1)(x^2+x+1)=[2-(2^{x})][2^2+2(2^{x}) + (2^{x})^2] \\ (x-2)(x^2+2x+4)=[1-(2^{x})][1+(2^{x})+(2^{x})^2] \\ \end{cases} \\ \end{align} Then is easy to see that $x=1 \implies x^3+8^x-9=0$.

We have that $f(x)=x^3+8^x-9\implies f^\prime(x)=3x^2+e^x\cdot\log_e(8)>0$ and then $f(x)$ have only one root. That is, $f(x)=0\implies x=1$.

Then $x=1$ the unique root.

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