Md. Sourov Hossain Mithun
There are many ways to solve different types of equations in Excel. But to solve the nonlinear equations, we had to use the Solver Add-in of Excel. This add-in doesn’t remain pre-enabled in Excel, needs to enable from the Excel Options. In this article, we’ll show how to activate it and how to use it to solve nonlinear equations in Excel.
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What Is Nonlinear Equation?
For an equation, when the change of the output doesn’t get proportional to the change of the input and if the equation appears as a curved line in the graph then it is called a Nonlinear equation or quadratic equation.
Easy Steps to Solve Nonlinear Equations in Excel
Now by following some easy steps, we’ll solve the two nonlinear equations given below.
Step 1: Insert Equation
First, we’ll have to insert the left side of the equations in two cells using the cell reference of the variables. But remember, we’ll have to consider the equation by keeping the right side zero.
Steps:
- For the first equation, insert the following formula in Cell B9–
=D9^2+D10^2-25- Then hit the ENTER button to finish.
- And for the second equation, insert this formula in Cell B10–
=D10-D9^2
Read More: How to Insert Equation in Excel (3 Easy Ways)
Step 2: Create Objective Equation
For using the Solver Add-in, we need an objective equation. So, we’ll sum the two cells where we inserted the left side of the equation to use it as an objective equation.
Steps:
- Insert the following formula using the SUM function in Cell D12–
=SUM(B9:B10)
Read More: How to Solve 2 Equations with 2 Unknowns in Excel (2 Examples)
Step 3: Activate Solver Add-in
The input process is done, now we’ll enable the Solver Add-in. If you have enabled it already or know how to do it then skip this step.
Steps:
- Click on the File tab first.
- Next, select Options from the appeared menu.
- Later, click as follows: Add-ins > Excel Add-ins > Go.
- Finally, mark Solver Add-in and press OK.
Read More: How to Solve Simultaneous Equations in Excel (3 Easy Ways)
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Step 4: Open Solver Add-in
Now see, the Solver Add-in is available in the Analyze section of the Data ribbon.
Steps:
- Click as follows to open it: Data > Solver.
Soon after you will get a window of Solver Add-in like the image below
Read More: How to Solve Algebraic Equations with Multiple Variables (3 Ways)
Step 5: Insert Objective and Variable Cells
The first action is to set the objective equation and variable cells.
Steps:
- Click on the upside arrow button from the Set Objective box as shown above and an input box will open up.
- Select Cell D12 and hit ENTER.
- After that, mark the Value Of option and insert 0 in the value box.
- Next, click on the upside arrow button from the By Changing Variable Cells
- Select the cells of variables and press ENTER.
Read More: How to Solve System of Equations in Excel (2 Easy Methods)
Step 6: Insert Cell Reference and Constraint
Here, we’ll insert the cell reference of the left side of the nonlinear quadratic equations and the constraints.
Steps:
- Click on the Add button.
- Insert Cell B9 in the Cell Reference box for the first equation.
- Then choose = from the drop-down box and insert 0 in the Constraints box.
- Next, press OK.
- Following the same way insert the cell reference and constraints for the second equation.
Read More: How to Solve an Equation for X When Y is Given in Excel
Step 7: Final Output
The Solver add-in can extract the solutions with a detailed answer report. Also, there are other options too, you can choose your convenient one.
Steps:
- Mark the Make Unconstrained Variables Non-Negative
- And then just press the Solve button.
- After a few moments, a dialog box will appear like this. Mark the Keep Solver Solution option and select Answer from the Reports section.
- Finally, just press OK.
Here are our calculator variables.
And Solver will show you the answer report in a new sheet like the image below.
Things to Remember
- To solve nonlinear equations, you must have to set an objective equation.
- Don’t forget to mark the Make Unconstrained Variables Non-Negative
- GRG Nonlinear should be selected by default as the solving method, if not you need to adjust that.
Conclusion
That’s all for the article. I hope the procedures described above will be good enough to solve nonlinear equations in Excel. Feel free to ask any question in the comment section and please give me feedback.
x and y are switched in your solution. x is actually 4.524938 and y is 2.12719
Hello Mr Martin. Thanks for your valuable feedback. We are grateful to you for informing us about the factor. According to your feedback, we cross-checked the issue. Unfortunately, the x and y values are switched unexpectedly somehow. we have updated the article. Thanks again.
Regards,
Fahim Shahriyar Dipto
Excel and VBA Content Developer.