Equation solving

Article summary

{{Image frame|width=220|align=right|caption=The quadratic formula, the symbolic solution of the quadratic equation |content= \overset{}{\underset{}{ x=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac} }{2a} } } }} to solve numerically the equation In mathematics, to solve an equation is to find the solutions of an equation, which are the values (numbers, functions, sets, etc.) that fulfill the condition stated by the equation, consisting generally of two expressions related by an equals sign. When seeking a solution, one or more variables are designated as unknowns. A solution is an assignment of values to the unknown variables that makes the equality in the equation true. In other words, a solution is a value or a collection of values (one for each unknown) such that, when substituted for the unknowns, the equation becomes an equality. A solution of an equation is often called a root of the equation, particularly but not only for polynomial equations. The set of all solutions of an equation is its solution set. An equation may be solved either numerically or symbolically. Solving an equation numerically means that only numbers are admitted as solutions. Solving an equation symbolically means that expressions can be used for representing the solutions. For example, the equation is solved for the unknown by the expression , because substituting for in the equation results in , a true statement.…

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