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Is it possible to solve equations (quadratic, for instance) in Google calculator?

It is possible to find something like 10^2+5^3. But I can't find out how to find x from, for instance, x^2+x=10. It could look like x^2+x=10, x = ?, but it doesn't work.

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6 Answers

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It's easier to use Wolfram|Alpha. It's great at mathematical problems!

By the way, the answer given by Wolfram|Alpha is: x = (- 1 +- sqrt(41))/2 :)

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If you click on approximative answer, it gives you the solution too... – Andi Sep 3 '09 at 6:20
It can do all sorts of things. It can even create a graph of the equation. It's a very powerful tool; unfortunately, it's not very well known. – alex Sep 3 '09 at 6:25
And tends to stall my browser for about a minute on the first usage, somehow :/ – Joey Sep 3 '09 at 6:28
It is could solve even differential equation. That's much better than Google calculator. – Kirill Sep 3 '09 at 12:50
Glad you like it! – alex Sep 3 '09 at 13:32
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up vote 2 down vote

It is not possible to solve equations in google calculator. You can only calculate formulas. Solving equations in general is not trivial and requires complicated software. Fore example you can try GNU Octave.

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up vote 0 down vote

You know the formula, right?

if ax^2 + bx + c

then

x = -b +or- (sqrt (b^2 - 4ac)) / 2a

I could do this in Excel or something. There should be a way to teach Google calc this?

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Surely I know the formula. That's not answer my question. – Kirill Sep 3 '09 at 6:10
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up vote 0 down vote

I used the terms google and quadratic calculator separately,
to get the result from this site,

    { -1   ± Sq Root ( 1  +  80 ) }  /  4
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up vote 0 down vote

I don't think it is possible. Better for this is some kind of special software for math operations.

Here is GUI for google calculator

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up vote 0 down vote

Wolfram|Alpha is for sure the best choice, but you can also use Bing from Microsoft, to solve equations.

Example with x^2+x=10.

Note also that Microsoft made an agreement with Wolfram, and they should use their results in Bing in the coming months.

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It totally failed for me :). The first result supplied by Bing is: "mactalk3.dvi ... 10 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 1 x 1 x 2 x 1 x 1 x 2 x 1 x 1 x 2 x 1 x 1 x 3 x 1 x 3 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 3 x 2 x 2 x 3 t x 2 x 2 x 3 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 1 x 2 x 2 x 1 x 2 x 2 x 1 x 2 x 2 x 1 x 3 x 3 x ...". It probably has something to do with the fact that features are different based on country for Bing. – alex Sep 3 '09 at 7:38
Hmmm, strange, then, for me I have an extra line before the first results, giving the solution. It's probably depending on the search language, I guess. – Gnoupi Sep 3 '09 at 8:50
Yes, it's dependent on country and language. Not all features are rolled out at the same time in all countries. – alex Sep 3 '09 at 12:49
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