Solving equations
solve for x: rearranges a single equation for one unknown and binds the
answer.
solve for x: 3 * x + 1 = 10
x * 2
solve for y: y ^ 2 = 144
solve for z: 2 ^ z = 1024
solve for celsius: celsius * 9/5 + 32 = 98.6Units come along, and repeated occurrences of the unknown are gathered.
solve for speed: 300 km / speed = 2.5 hour
speed to mph to 0 dp
solve for radius: pi * radius^2 * 10 cm = 1 l
radius to cm to 2 dp
solve for n: 2 * n + n = 9
solve for p: 216 = p + 8%Wrap the solve in parentheses to use the value without binding the name.
(solve for x: x ^ 2 = 49) + 5Functions with known inverses can be solved through: sqrt, ln, exp,
sin, cos, tan, powers, and a unit conversion with to. A date can be
the unknown too.
solve for angle: sin(angle) = 0.5
angle to deg
solve for start: start + 6 weeks = @2026-09-01What the solver cannot do yet
Section titled “What the solver cannot do yet”- An equation that has no solution reports an inconsistency:
x * 0 = 5. - An unknown at two different powers stalls:
x^2 + x = 6. A single power solves, asy ^ 2 = 144does above. - An even power gives only the positive root:
y ^ 2 = 144is 12, not -12. - An unknown on both sides of a division stalls:
r + 1/r = 2. max,min, and comparisons have no inverse.
Each case says which it is, so “smoot cannot” is never confused with “you did not give it enough”.