Strange behaviour of solve function...




On Thu, 26 Nov 2009, Julien Martin wrote:

< Hello,
< I am trying to solve the following equation:
< 
< sum(4500*(1+r)^-i, i, 1, inf)=60000;
< solve(%, r);
< 
< And I only get a pair of empty brackets as a result...
< Any clue?
< Julien.
< 
< 


Julien,
You'll need to tell Maxima to simplify the sum:

(%i2) sum(4500*(1+r)^-i, i, 1, inf)=60000,simpsum;
Is  abs(r+1)-1  positive, negative, or zero?

p;
(%o2) 4500/((r+1)*(1-1/(r+1))) = 60000
(%i3) solve(%,r);
(%o3) [r = 3/40]

Leo

-- 
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in
Scotland, with registration number SC005336.