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Re: Solve output depends on previous attempt with bad syntax

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg132515] Re: Solve output depends on previous attempt with bad syntax
• From: Bob Hanlon <hanlonr357 at gmail.com>
• Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2014 03:58:18 -0400 (EDT)
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• References: <20140403061601.46BAA6A06@smc.vnet.net>

Solve[{y1=a x1+b,y2=a x2+b},{a,b}]

Solve::naqs: b+a x1&&b+a x2 is not a quantified system of equations and
inequalities. >>

Solve[{b+a x1,b+a x2},{a,b}]

While this failed to evaluate Solve it nonetheless did the assignment of
values to y1 and y2 before concluding that there was a problem. Clear y1
and y2 before attempting Solve again with the correct syntax.

Clear[y1,y2]

Solve[{y1==a x1+b,y2==a x2+b},{a,b}]

{{a -> -((-y1 + y2)/(x1 - x2)),
   b -> -((x2*y1 - x1*y2)/
      (x1 - x2))}}


Bob Hanlon


On Thu, Apr 3, 2014 at 2:16 AM, Alain Cochard <Alain.Cochard at unistra.fr>wro=
te:

>
> First, the correct solution of a linear system of 2 equations with 2
> unknowns, for reference.
>
>     Mathematica 9.0 for Linux x86 (64-bit)
>     Copyright 1988-2013 Wolfram Research, Inc.
>
>     In[1]:= Solve[{y1==a x1 +b, y2==a x2 +b},{a,b}]
>
>                      -y1 + y2          x2 y1 - x1 y2
>     Out[1]= {{a -> -(--------), b -> -(-------------)}}
>                      x1 - x2              x1 - x2
>
> Now, starting a new Mathematica session, assume I make a mistake, using '=
='
> instead of '==', I get an error message -- so far, so good:
>
>     Mathematica 9.0 for Linux x86 (64-bit)
>     Copyright 1988-2013 Wolfram Research, Inc.
>
>     In[1]:= Solve[{y1=a x1 +b, y2=a x2 +b},{a,b}]
>
>     Solve::naqs: b + a x1 && b + a x2 is not a quantified system
>     of equations and inequalities.
>
>     Out[1]= Solve[{b + a x1, b + a x2}, {a, b}]
>
> Realizing my mistake, I retry with the proper syntax:
>
>     In[2]:= Solve[{y1==a x1 +b, y2==a x2 +b},{a,b}]
>
>     Out[2]= {{}}
>
> which is obviously not the correct result.
>
> Is there a rationale here, i.e., could I have anticipated this output?
>
> Thank you,
> Alain
>
> --
> EOST (=C9cole et Observatoire des Sciences de la Terre)
> IPG (Institut de Physique du Globe) | alain.cochard at unistra.fr
> 5 rue Ren=E9 Descartes   [bureau 106] | Phone: +33 (0)3 68 85 50 44
> F-67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France    | Fax:   +33 (0)3 68 85 01 25
>
>

• References:
  • Solve output depends on previous attempt with bad syntax
    • From: Alain Cochard <Alain.Cochard@unistra.fr>