HP 50g Chapter Solution to equations, Symbolic solution of algebraic equations, Function Isol

Chapter 6

Solution to equations

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.

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 „Î. With system flag 117 set to CHOOSE boxes, the following menu lists will be available:

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.

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 at3-bt = 0 we can use the following:

Using the RPN mode, the solution is accomplished by entering the equation in the stack, followed by the variable, before entering function ISOL. Right before the execution of ISOL, the RPN stack should look as in

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