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Thread ID: 88687 2008-04-05 19:38:00 Excel solver Renmoo (66) Press F1
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656215 2008-04-05 19:38:00 Dear all,
In Microsoft Excel, is it possible to construct a solver to figure out values of X in polynomial equation like (X - 1) ^ 4 (X + 2) = (X - 3)? I know it would be easier if I move the "X" to one side and solve it, but it is near to impossible to open up power of four equations (and multiplying them with different variables later on!). I've been hunting around for Macros that will do the trick, but none of them seem to be what I am aftering...

Cheers :)
Renmoo (66)
656216 2008-04-06 09:23:00 Bump.


I don't even understand the equation..........
pctek (84)
656217 2008-04-06 23:21:00 Hi Jamuz

Assuming the equation is this:

((x-1)^4) * (x+2) = (x-3)

then using a pencil and paper you can expand the (x-1)^4 part in about 2 minutes. I presume you know how to expand (x-1)^2? If you do that twice and then multiply the results against eachother then suddenly it all looks very easy.

If you get stuck multiplying the result by (x+2) let me know.

But certainly yes, once you have resolved everything to being on one side of the equation, you can use the Excel solver to work out the value of x. But insofar as I am aware, Excel solver cannot resolve a polynomial equation. There are other tools for that.

Andrew
andrew93 (249)
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