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Che 317: Computer Packages For Chemical Engineers: (Introduction To The Use of Excel)

This document discusses using Excel's Goal Seek and Solver tools to solve equations. It provides examples of using each tool to solve the equation X^3 + 2X^2 - X + 1 = 0. Goal Seek uses iterative approximations to find the solution, while Solver is more powerful and can handle systems of equations. Instructions are given on setting up and using each tool. Students are assigned exercises to practice using Solver and announcements are made regarding course assignments.

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Christian Nweke
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59 views16 pages

Che 317: Computer Packages For Chemical Engineers: (Introduction To The Use of Excel)

This document discusses using Excel's Goal Seek and Solver tools to solve equations. It provides examples of using each tool to solve the equation X^3 + 2X^2 - X + 1 = 0. Goal Seek uses iterative approximations to find the solution, while Solver is more powerful and can handle systems of equations. Instructions are given on setting up and using each tool. Students are assigned exercises to practice using Solver and announcements are made regarding course assignments.

Uploaded by

Christian Nweke
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHE 317: COMPUTER PACKAGES FOR

CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
(INTRODUCTION TO THE USE OF EXCEL)
LECTURE III

Instructors:
Engr. (Dr) Efeovbokhan, V.E and Mr. A. T. Ogunbiyi

Solving Equations in Excel Using Goal Seek


Goal Seek permits rapid solutions of algebraic equations using
iterative (i.e trial-and-error) techniques, based upon a series of
successive approximations derived from an initial guess.
The accuracy of each successive value is refined until the values
converge to a stable solution.
In Goalseek, it is necessary to define a cell for the variable you
want to change (X) and a cell for the function you want to
evaluate.

Note:
Goal Seek will only work if you tell it to evaluate some function
until it reaches a constant value.
You cannot tell it to equal something that can change, so for
example you cannot do something like this: X - X3 = 2X2 + 1
because neither side is a constant.
The easiest way around this is generally to solve the function for
zero and then use that as the evaluating function.

The proximity of the initial guess to the desired root


increases the likelihood of obtaining a converged
solution.
Goal Seek is very useful for quickly solving any
formula for a single unknown value

A warning message will be generated if the


computation does not converge or if an
inappropriate root (e.g. a complex root) is about to
be generated.

Example: Solve X3 +2X2 -X+1=0


Step 1: Open a spreadsheet and enter the following
formula in cell B1.
= A1^3 + 2*A1^2 A1 +1
Cell B1 is the equation that should be zero; and cell
A1 contains the variable that is repeated changed to
make this happen. Enter 2.0 into cell A1
Step 2: Under Tools, choose Goal Seek. Or
Under data, click on What if analysis and choose
Goal Seek. When the dialog box appears, enter the
following as shown below:
Step 3: Click OK. The answer appears in the
spreadsheet

Example: Solve X3 +2X2 -X+1=0


The answers appears in the spreadsheet
- 2.54686 - 0.00035
Hence, the solution found is
- 2.54686 with a tiny error.
The test of whether the calculation is correct is shown
in cell B1 which is 3.5E-4, and very close to zero.

Solve sin(x) + x = 5 using Goal Seek


If your guess is right and the result was correct,
then the solution has been found.
If not, you could repeat by using a another guessed
value
If it cannot find a solution its because the guess is
not sufficiently close or the equation is not solvable

SOLVER
A more powerful version of Goal Seek.
Allows you to solve systems of equations, and
linear equations that you will come across from
mass and energy balances.
It operates under similar principles as Goal Seek.
And it can set constraints to the final solution
can restrict the solution to a range which makes
physical sense.

Solution of Solve X3 +2X2 -X+1=0 using


Excels Solver
You can solve the same problem using solver option in excel
Step 1: Enter the given equation in cell D3.
= C3^3 + 2*C3^2 C3 +1
Cell D3 is the equation that should be zero; and cell C3
contains the variable that is repeated changed to make this
happen. Enter 2.5 into cell A1 as the initial guess
Step 2: Under the Tools menu, click on Solver. If the
choice solver does not show, choose Add-Ins and load
Solver from the Analysis ToolPak or the original Excel
program disk, OR go to the data tab and click on solver
at the far extreme right.

Solving X3 +2X2 -X+1=0 using Excels Solver


Step 1 displayed

Solution of Solve X3 +2X2 -X+1=0 using


Excels Solver
Step 2 displayed

Solution of Solve X3 +2X2 -X+1=0 using


Excels Solver
Results:
Cell A1 and B1 display:
-2.54682
4.06E-07
This time, it is much more accurate as the error
is extremely small.

Exercises
Class Work
1. Solve the equation sin x + x = 5 using Solver
Practice Exercises
1. Determine a real root for the equation

2. Determine the smallest positive real root for the


equation
x + cos x = 1 + sin x

Solution to class work


Solve sin(x) + x = 5
Enter this formula into cell
D3

SOLVER for one unknown: sin(x) + x = 5


Initial guess

Click on solve

Solution to sin(x) + x = 5
Desired root

Negligible error

Announcement
Assignment 2 is due for submission on Friday 11:55 pm
25/09/2015
Excel lecture slides 1 and 2 have been uploaded on the
Moodle platform.
Your assignment 3 will be uploaded on the MOODLE 2
Platform after the Friday class.
Always check the electronic learning platform for
information about the course
Go to www.moodle2.covenantuniversity.edu.ng
Enrol as a student under the course
Use CHE317 as your enrolment key
Adhere strictly to the submission deadline

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