Chapter 37: Analyzing Data Using Goal Seeking and Solver
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Note
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 Target Cell field. Therefore, just
enter a reference to any cell that has a formula. n
Figure 37.10 shows the solution. The x (0.75), y (–2.0), and z (0.5) values satisfy all three
equations.FIGURE 37.10Solver solved the simultaneous equations.
Note
A set of linear equations may have one solution, no solution, or an infinite number of solutions. n
Minimizing shipping costs
This example involves finding alternative options for shipping materials, while keeping total ship-
ping costs at a minimum (see Figure 37.11). A company has warehouses in Los Angeles, St. Louis,
and Boston. Retail outlets throughout the United States place orders, which the company then
ships from one of the warehouses. The company wants to meet the product needs of all six retail
outlets from available inventory and keep total shipping charges as low as possible.On the CD
This workbook, named shipping costs.xlsx, is available on the companion CD-ROM. n