Select Numeric or Symbolic Solver

You can solve equations to obtain a symbolic or numeric answer. For example, a solution to $\cos (x) = - 1$ ispiin symbolic form and3.14159in numeric form. The symbolic solution is exact, while the numeric solution approximates the exact symbolic solution. Symbolic Math Toolbox™ offers both symbolic and numeric equation solvers. This table can help you choose either the symbolic solver (solve) or the numeric solver (vpasolve). A possible strategy is to try the symbolic solver first, and use the numeric solver if the symbolic solver is stuck.

Solve Equations Symbolically Using solve	Solve Equations Numerically Using vpasolve
Returns exact solutions. Solutions can then be approximated using`vpa`.	Returns approximate solutions. Precision can be controlled arbitrarily using`digits`.
Returns a general form of the solution.	For polynomial equations, returns all numeric solutions that exist. For nonpolynomial equations, returns the first numeric solution found.
General form allows insight into the solution.	Numeric solutions provide less insight.
Runs slower.	Runs faster.
Search ranges can be specified using inequalities.	Search ranges and starting points can be specified.
`solve`solves equations and inequalities that contain parameters.	`vpasolve`不能解决的不平等,也不解决装备的ations that contain parameters.
`solve`can return parameterized solutions.	`vpasolve`does not return parameterized solutions.

vpasolveuses variable-precision arithmetic. You can control precision arbitrarily usingdigits. For examples, seeIncrease Precision of Numeric Calculations.

Select Numeric or Symbolic Solver

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