Solving Equations using Excel

Kazi Bayzid Kabir, PhD

 Learning Objectives
• In this section we examine methods of finding
roots of non-linear equations such as
polynomial and transcendental
Let’s solve a simple quadratic equation
• 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 12 = 0

• To make it easy let’s plot the equation

 Using Goal Seek to solve
2
To sove 2x -5x-12 = 0
Root Function
0 -12
3 -9
Finding both roots
 Cubic equation
• 2𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 246𝑥 + 360 = 0

How to proceed??
Transcendental equations

How to proceed??
 Solver Add-in
• The Solver Add-In is much more powerful than
Goal Seek

• originally designed for optimization problems

• also useful for root finding and similar

mathematical problems
 Goal Seek vs Solver
• When you have used Solver once on a worksheet, it will
retain its settings when it is next used on that worksheet.

• Whereas Goal Seek allows you to vary one cell, with Solver
you can vary 200 cells but using no more than 16 ranges.
We could vary, for example, A1 :A10 and B1

• Solver may be used to find the value of the variables that

give the formula a maximum or a minimum value as well as
a set numeric value

• We may control how Solver finds a solution

 Cubic Equation again using solver
• 2𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 246𝑥 + 360 = 0
 Solver Options
• Max Time sets the maximum amount of time Solver may spend on
the problem. The default value of 100 seconds is ample with a
modern PC for all but very large problems.

• Iterations sets the limit of the number of attempts Solver has to

find a satisfactory solution.

• Precision pertains to the constraints. Let the Precision be 1 x and

suppose we specify the constraint A1 >= 0. After some iterations
Solver find a solution but A1 = -1 x lo-’ . Solver will consider the
constraint has been met since it is within the precision.

• Tolerance pertains to integer constraints. An integer constraint

makes the problem much harder. Try initially solving without
integer constraints.
 Solving Simultaneous Equations
• 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 3 = 0
• 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 5 = 0
Using a Constraint
 Matrix Algebra
• MDETERM(A)
– Returns the matrix determinant of an array
• MINVERSE(A)
– Returns the inverse of the matrix of an array.
• MMULT(A,B)
– Returns the matrix product.
• TRANSPOSE(A)
– Returns the transpose of an array. The first row of the
input array becomes the first column of the output
array, etc.
 Points to ponder
• For all but TRANSPOSE(), every cell in the array must
contain a numeric value otherwise the #VALUE! Error
results.

• The #VALUE! error results when an illegal matrix operation

is attempted.

• Because the first two functions use an accuracy of 16 digits,

small numeric errors may occur. For example, a singular
array may return a result that differs from zero by 1E-16.

• Except for MDTERM(), these are array functions and must

be completed with [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[Enter]
 Solving systems of linear equations
using matrix operations
• 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = −1
• 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 17

1 −2 𝑥 −1
• 𝑦 =
3 4 17

• 𝐴𝑋 = 𝐶
• 𝑋 = 𝐴−1 𝐶
 Example: 3 equations to solve
• 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 2𝑧 = 15
• 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 2𝑧 = −2
• 4𝑥 − 𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 2