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More About Solving
Equations
uses an iterative process that searches for a number that sets
the left side of the equation equal to the right side. A convenient way
to conceptualize the process is to think of the equation as a function
of one variable, the unknown, for which
is seeking a root. The
root of a function is a number that sets the value of the function equal
to 0. For convenience, this appendix will consistently use x as the un-
known.
How
Finds a Root
Consider an equation containing a number of variables, including un-
known x. When values have been entered for all variables except the
unknown, the equation has the form:
g(x)=h(x)
where g(x) and h(x) are the left and right sides of the equation. For
example, when the equation:
ax3+£x2=—l—cx+d
r
4
is solved for x with a=—2, b=8, r=2, c=24, and d= —38,it has the
form:
—2x3 + 4x2 = 6x — 8
a(x)
h(x)
B: More About Solving Equations
155
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