Solver could not find a feasible solution

MrFuz

New Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2023
Messages
13
Office Version
  1. 365
Platform
  1. Windows
  2. MacOS
  3. Mobile
  4. Web
Can someone help me using solver? solver says there is no feasible solution but I know there is. I’ve tried messing around with different solver methods and the options of solver but still can’t get it to work.

the two equations are:
x^2 * Y - 10^5 = 0
(3*Y) - (2*X) = 0

can someone try using solver to find values of X and Y? And send the file or a screensho?
(I have tried to upload an excel file or a picture but it doesn’t work.)
 
What are start guesses? And how would I use that?

Ive used some positive numbers like 5 and 1 and I got an answer but they are not the correct values for X and Y. Because if I change the constraint values then that changes the whole equation as now it would be equal to 5 rather than equal to 0 from the initial equations.

(btw, you are really helpful, thanks)
 
Upvote 0

Excel Facts

How to total the visible cells?
From the first blank cell below a filtered data set, press Alt+=. Instead of SUM, you will get SUBTOTAL(9,)
What are start guesses? And how would I use that?

Ive used some positive numbers like 5 and 1 and I got an answer but they are not the correct values for X and Y. Because if I change the constraint values then that changes the whole equation as now it would be equal to 5 rather than equal to 0 from the initial equations.

(btw, you are really helpful, thanks)
nevermind, i have got the right answers by changing to positive values for x and y. but how does that work? i thought constraint values has do be 0 here because my equations equalled to 0.

What values do you think I would need to use for the 10^12 question
 
Upvote 0
i thought constraint values has do be 0 here because my equations equalled to 0.
You're solving for x and y. The constraints are that your two formulae both evaluate to zero. But you're not constraining x and y.
What values do you think I would need to use for the 10^12 question
Given x^2 * y = N, and y = 2/3 x, a logical first guess would set x and y both equal to N^(1/3).

For N = 10^12, that means starting with x = y = 10,000. Then, Solver easily converges on the answers x = 11,447 and y = 7,631 (approx).

In my version of Excel, Solver will also find the correct solution starting with x and y as small as 10. But set them both to 1, and it will fail to find a solution. So a bit of trial and error might be required with your start values.
 
Upvote 0
You're solving for x and y. The constraints are that your two formulae both evaluate to zero. But you're not constraining x and y.

Given x^2 * y = N, and y = 2/3 x, a logical first guess would set x and y both equal to N^(1/3).

For N = 10^12, that means starting with x = y = 10,000. Then, Solver easily converges on the answers x = 11,447 and y = 7,631 (approx).

In my version of Excel, Solver will also find the correct solution starting with x and y as small as 10. But set them both to 1, and it will fail to find a solution. So a bit of trial and error might be required with your start values.
I’m kind of confused, how would you start with values of x = y =10,000, where would you put that on solver? Would it be the constrained values?
 
Upvote 0
I’m kind of confused, how would you start with values of x = y =10,000, where would you put that on solver? Would it be the constrained values?
Are you able to send a xl2bb screenshot or the excel file So I could see what you done. Or say step by step what to do on solver.
 
Upvote 0
Welcome to the MrExcel Message Board!

Cross-posting (posting the same question in more than one forum) is not against our rules, but the method of doing so is covered by #13 of the Forum Rules.

Be sure to follow & read the link at the end of the rule too!

Cross posted at: Solver could not find a feasible solution, but solutions do actually exist
There is no need to repeat the link(s) provided above but if you have posted the question at other places, please provide links to those as well.

If you do cross-post in the future and also provide links, then there shouldn’t be a problem.
 
Upvote 0
Are you able to send a xl2bb screenshot or the excel file So I could see what you done. Or say step by step what to do on solver.
Here's your workbook (attached to post #7), with 10 changed to 10^12

ABCDEF
1
2VALUESUNKNOWNSEQNCONSTRAINT
3X^2*Y-10^12=0X-1E+120
43Y-2X=0Y00
5
Sheet1
Cell Formulas
RangeFormula
E3E3=(D3^2)*D4-10^12
E4E4=(3*D4)-(2*D3)
Named Ranges
NameRefers ToCells
solver_adj=Sheet1!$D$3:$D$4E3:E4

If I try start values in x (cell D3) and y (D4) both equal to 10,000, like this ...

VALUESUNKNOWNSEQNCONSTRAINT
X^2*Y-10^12=0X1000000
3Y-2X=0Y10000100000

... and run your version of Solver, I get the solution:

Book5.xlsx
ABCDEF
1
2VALUESUNKNOWNSEQNCONSTRAINT
3X^2*Y-10^12=0X11447.142400
43Y-2X=0Y7631.4282800
5
Sheet1
Cell Formulas
RangeFormula
E3E3=(D3^2)*D4-10^12
E4E4=(3*D4)-(2*D3)
Named Ranges
NameRefers ToCells
solver_adj=Sheet1!$D$3:$D$4E3:E4

Similar happens if I start with guesses of x=y=10, but the "solution" lacks some precision.
 
Upvote 1
Solution
Here's your workbook (attached to post #7), with 10 changed to 10^12

ABCDEF
1
2VALUESUNKNOWNSEQNCONSTRAINT
3X^2*Y-10^12=0X-1E+120
43Y-2X=0Y00
5
Sheet1
Cell Formulas
RangeFormula
E3E3=(D3^2)*D4-10^12
E4E4=(3*D4)-(2*D3)
Named Ranges
NameRefers ToCells
solver_adj=Sheet1!$D$3:$D$4E3:E4

If I try start values in x (cell D3) and y (D4) both equal to 10,000, like this ...

VALUESUNKNOWNSEQNCONSTRAINT
X^2*Y-10^12=0X1000000
3Y-2X=0Y10000100000

... and run your version of Solver, I get the solution:

Book5.xlsx
ABCDEF
1
2VALUESUNKNOWNSEQNCONSTRAINT
3X^2*Y-10^12=0X11447.142400
43Y-2X=0Y7631.4282800
5
Sheet1
Cell Formulas
RangeFormula
E3E3=(D3^2)*D4-10^12
E4E4=(3*D4)-(2*D3)
Named Ranges
NameRefers ToCells
solver_adj=Sheet1!$D$3:$D$4E3:E4

Similar happens if I start with guesses of x=y=10, but the "solution" lacks some precision.
thanks so much!!!
 
Upvote 0

Forum statistics

Threads
1,215,221
Messages
6,123,701
Members
449,117
Latest member
Aaagu

We've detected that you are using an adblocker.

We have a great community of people providing Excel help here, but the hosting costs are enormous. You can help keep this site running by allowing ads on MrExcel.com.
Allow Ads at MrExcel

Which adblocker are you using?

Disable AdBlock

Follow these easy steps to disable AdBlock

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the "Pause on this site" option.
Go back

Disable AdBlock Plus

Follow these easy steps to disable AdBlock Plus

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the toggle to disable it for "mrexcel.com".
Go back

Disable uBlock Origin

Follow these easy steps to disable uBlock Origin

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the "Power" button.
3)Click on the "Refresh" button.
Go back

Disable uBlock

Follow these easy steps to disable uBlock

1)Click on the icon in the browser’s toolbar.
2)Click on the "Power" button.
3)Click on the "Refresh" button.
Go back
Back
Top