HP (Hewlett-Packard) 17bII Calculator User Manual


 
158 12: The Equation Solver
File name : English-M02-1-040308(Print).doc Print data : 2004/3/9
while the Solver checks that the equation is mathematically valid.
(However, the Solver has no way of checking whether the equation is
the right one for your problem.) If the equation cannot be solved, the
calculator briefly displays:


and the cursor will blink at the first character that the Solver could not
interpret. (It is possible that your mistake is somewhere else, but this is a
good place to start looking, since this is where the Solver got stuck.) The
ALPHA-Edit menu appears so you can make changes.
Check to be sure you’ve made no typing mistakes, and that you’ve
followed the rules for writing equations given on page 166 under
“What Can Appear in an Equation.”
An entry that is not an equation will be stored when you press
I
,
but it cannot be verified when you press .
Calculating Using Solver Menus (CALC)
If pressing creates a Solver menu for your equation, then the
equation is good (that is, mathematically valid).
If the equation contains more than six variables, the Solver uses the label
to switch between sets of menu labels.
Calculator line
Solver menu
To test whether your equation is in fact correct, test it out by entering
some values for which you already know the result, and see if the
Solver’s result is correct.
To do a calculation using a Solver menu: