Part IV: Managing and Analyzing Data
The three equations are represented by formulas in the range B6:B8:
B6: =(4*x)+(y)-(2*z)
B7: =(2*x)-(3*y)+(3*z)
B8: =-(6*x)-(2*y)+(z)
These formulas use the values in the x, y, and z named cells. The range C6:C8 contains the
desired result for these three formulas.
Solver will adjust the values in x, y, and z—that is, the changing cells in C11:C13—subject
to these constraints:
B6=C6
B7=C7
B8=C8
This problem doesn’t have a target cell because it’s not trying to maximize or minimize anything. However, the Solver
Parameters dialog box insists that you specify a formula for the Set Objective field. Therefore, just enter a reference
to any cell that has a formula.
Figure 32.11 shows the solution. The x (0.75), y (–2.0), and z (0.5) values satisfy all
three equations.
FIGURE 32.11
Solver finds a solution to the linear equations.
