Changing elements of a formula to reflect a known result.

**gus156** · 08-28-2021, 08:15 AM

Hi,

I want to be able to put in a normal math equation along with the answer, which I can do fine by putting each number and function into an individual box as these will be quite short equations. I want to be able to change the answer so as to result in a list of possible changes that could be made to any given individual stage of the equation (a single number or function replaced with another number or function) that would allow the otherwise unchanged equation to equate with that new answer. This would mean that any number or function may have several alternatives displayed (obviously these alternatives would need to show which number or function in the existing equation that they could replace to give this new answer).

As I am new to excel I am not sure exactly how to do this. I am sure there are a few different ways, so if you have any suggestions it would be very helpful.
Thanks!!

**Richard Buttrey** · 08-28-2021, 08:45 AM

Administrative Note:

Welcome to the forum.

We would very much like to help you with your query, however the thread title does not really convey what your request is about. Tell us what you are trying to do, not how you think it should be done.

Make sure that the title properly explains your request.

Please see Forum Rule #1 about proper thread titles and adjust accordingly. To edit the thread title, open the original post to edit and then click on Go Advanced (bottom right) to access the area where you can edit your title.

Since this is your first post I'll change it on this occasion.

In the meantime check out Excels's SOLVER and upload a workbook which contains examples and manually add examples of results you expect to see.

**Croweater** · 08-28-2021, 08:41 PM

Are you trying to solve a series of simultaneous equations in 2 (or more) variables?

If so you can do this with Solver (as previously suggested) or by using Matrices (which excel handles well).

See attached example.

**janmorris** · 08-29-2021, 05:20 AM

the way excel works is that you give it a formula and source data it calculates answers, for it to do what you are asking would require "machine learning", which is not what excel was built to do.