Calulating a value without a circular reference

[Maklen]

Hello,

This one is a bit hard to explain and even harder for me to figure out a solution in Excel.

Cell A1 = 3
Cell B1 = 5
Cell C1 = .25*D1
Cell D1 = SUM(A1:C1)

In algebra it would be...
A1 + B1 + C1 = D1 where C1 = .25*D1 thus...

A1 + B1 + (.25*D1) = D1 where A1 = 3, B1 = 5 and solve for D1, then C1.

The answer is C1 = 6 and D1 = 14, but how do I get Excel to solve for C1 & D1?

Thanks!

 

[Joe4]

Welcome to the Board!

You have a circular reference because you have C1 dependent on D1, and D1 dependent on C1.

I think you have an error in your statement too, as this is not true, based on the formula you posted:

The answer is C1 = 6 and D1 = 14,

You said that:

C1=.25*D1

If you substitute in your values of C1=6 and D1=14, you will see that is not a true statement:

6=.25*14
6=3.5

I think maybe you made a mistake with how you presented the relationship between C1 and D1.

 

[steve the fish]

In algebra it would be:

D1=A1+B1(0.25*D1)

0.75*D1=A1+B1

D1=(A1+B1)/0.75

D1=8/0.75

D1=10.66666

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[Maklen]

Opps! Yes, I made a mistake in my algebra. D1 = 10 2/3 and C1 would be 2 2/3.

Perfect example of why I could use a way to calculate this in Excel.