There is a package in share/contrib that can solve some algebraic
equations. There isn't any user documentation; maybe these
examples will get you started:
(%i1) load("topoly_solver")$
(%i2) to_poly_solve(x=sqrt(x)+2,x);
(%o2) [[x=4]]
(%i3) to_poly_solve(max(x,5) - min(x+1,x-1) = 7,x);
(%o3) [[x=-1]]
(%i5) to_poly_solve([max(x,y) = 9, x - y = 42],[x,y]);
(%o5) [[x=9,y=-33]]
Generally, we place code in share/contrib when either
(1) there is no user documentation,
(2) the author might not be interested in supporting the code,
(3) the code isn't well tested,
(4) the user interface to the code might change.
Some code in share / contrib is very good, some isn't. So be careful ---
ask Maxima to check the solutions that
to_poly_solve finds; if you find bugs, please send a note to this list.
There is another package for solving equations --- try load("solver"). I
don't know much about this package, but as
far as I can tell, it will not solve your equation:
(%i19) load(solver)$
OK:
(%i20) Solver([x^2+ 2*x - 7 = 0],[x]);
(%o20) [[x=-2*sqrt(2)-1],[x=2*sqrt(2)-1]]
Not OK:
(%i21) Solver([x-sqrt(x)-2 = 0],[x]);
(%o21) [[[x-sqrt(x)-2]]]
Barton
(author of to_poly_solve)
maxima-bounces at math.utexas.edu wrote on 10/12/2008 04:37:31 PM:
> [image removed]
>
> [Maxima] Question about x=sqrt(x)+2
>
> Vladimir Chernyshov
>
> to:
>
> maxima
>
> 10/15/2008 08:40 AM
>
> Sent by:
>
> maxima-bounces at math.utexas.edu
>
> Hello,
>
> I have a question about this kind of equation x=sqrt(x)+2 .
> Can Maxima solve it, and if yes how to do it ? I am using version:
5.16.3.
> Thank you for any help.
>
> Best, Vladimir.
>
>
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