Algebra – Solving ?x-1?(3^x-2^x-?x^2?)=0

algebra-precalculusceiling-and-floor-functionsexponentiation

Solve the following equation in $\mathbb R$ $$\lfloor x-1\rfloor(3^x-2^x-\lfloor x^2\rfloor) = 0$$ where $\lfloor y\rfloor=k \iff k \le y < k+1 , k \in \mathbb Z$

I will address 2 cases.

  1. $\lfloor x-1\rfloor= 0 \iff 0 \le x-1 < 1 \iff 1 \le x < 2 $. So every $x \in [1,2)$ is a solution.

  2. $3^x-2^x-\lfloor x^2\rfloor= 0$

a) For $x=0$ , we get $1-1-0=0$, so it's a solution.

b) For $x < 0 \implies 3^x < 2^x$, and since $\lfloor x^2\rfloor>0$, we get that $3^x-2^x-\lfloor x^2\rfloor< 0$, so there are no solutions in this interval.

c) For $x=1$ , we get that $3-2-1=0$, so it's also a solution.

d) For $x \in (0,1) \implies\lfloor x^2\rfloor= 0$. So, $3^x-2^x=0$ but this has no solutions on this interval because $3^x>2^x, \forall x \in (0,\infty)$

e) Now for $x>1$ we get some problems. I think $3^x-2^x-\lfloor x^2\rfloor> 0$, but I don't know how to prove it. I can prove that the function $3^x-2^x$ is strictly increasing, but I don't know so much about the values of $\lfloor x^2\rfloor$. So far I think I made some decent progress. But I'm waiting to see what you think about my approach. If you have any idea or a solution, I'm here to listen. Thanks!

Best Answer

Your proof that the only solutions are $\{0\}\cup[1,2)$ can indeed be completed by proving your conjecture, namely $$\forall x>1\quad3^x-2^x-\lfloor x^2\rfloor>0.$$

  • It holds for $x\ge2$, since $$3^x-2^x-\lfloor x^2\rfloor\ge3^x-2^x-x^2=3^x\left(1-\left(\frac23\right)^x-\frac{x^2}{3^x}\right)$$ and (checking separately the monotonicity of the two following summands) $$\forall x\ge2\quad\left(\frac23\right)^x+\frac{x^2}{3^x}\le\left(\frac23\right)^2+\frac{2^2}{3^2}=\frac89<1.$$ Actually, as implicitely noted in Nour's answer, this part of the conjecture was sufficient for your purpose, since you already know that every $x\in[1,2)$ is a solution.
  • It also holds when $1<x<2$, using that you "can prove that the function $3^x−2^x$ is strictly increasing", on (more than) this interval:
    • if $1<x<\sqrt2$, $3^x-2^x-\lfloor x^2\rfloor=3^x-2^x-1>3^1-2^1-1=0.$
    • if $\sqrt2\le x<\sqrt3$, $3^x-2^x-\lfloor x^2\rfloor=3^x-2^x-2\ge3^{\sqrt2}-2^{\sqrt2}-2>0.06.$
    • if $\sqrt3\le x<2$, $3^x-2^x-\lfloor x^2\rfloor=3^x-2^x-3\ge3^{\sqrt3}-2^{\sqrt3}-3>0.3.$