HP 50G, User Manual

Page: 207 / 887

Page 6-1
Chapter 6
Solution to single equations
In this chapter we feature those functions that the calculator provides for solving
single equations of the form f(X) = 0. Associated with the
7
key there are
two menus of equation-solving functions, the Symbolic SOLVer (
„Î
), and
the NUMerical SoLVer (
‚Ï
). Following, we present some of the functions
contained in these menus. Change CAS mode to Complex for these exercises
(see Chapter 2).
Symbolic solution of algebraic equations
Here we describe some of the functions from the Symbolic Solver menu.
Activate the menu by using the keystroke combination . With system flag 117
set to CHOOSE boxes, the following menu lists will be available:
Functions DESOLVE and LDEC are used for the solution of differential equations,
the subject of a different chapter, and therefore will not be presented here.
Similarly, function LINSOLVE relates to the solution of multiple linear equations,
and it will be presented in a different chapter. Functions ISOL and SOLVE can
be used to solve for any unknown in a polynomial equation. Function SOLVEVX
solves a polynomial equation where the unknown is the default CAS variable
VX (typically set to ‘X’). Finally, function ZEROS provides the zeros, or roots, of
a polynomial. Entries for all the functions in the S.SLV menu, except ISOL, are
available through the CAS help facility
(
IL
@HELP
).
Function ISOL
Function ISOL(Equation, variable) will produce the solution(s) to Equation by
isolating variable . For example, with the calculator set to ALG mode, to solve
for t in the equation at
3
-bt = 0 we can use the following: