How It Works
Type an equation or an expression. Solve moves every term to one side, then uses linear rearrangement or the quadratic formula. Simplify distributes parentheses and adds coefficients that share the same power of x.
Formula & Logic Explanation
A linear equation ax + b = 0 has the solution x = −b ÷ a when a is not zero.
A quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0 uses x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) ÷ 2a.
Like terms add by their coefficients. 2x + 3x − x = (2 + 3 − 1)x = 4x.
Step-by-Step Examples
2x + 3 = 11 becomes 2x − 8 = 0, so x = 4.
x² − 5x + 6 = 0 has discriminant 1, so x = 2 or x = 3.
3(x + 2) + 4(x − 1) expands to 3x + 6 + 4x − 4, which simplifies to 7x + 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Solve accepts linear equations such as 2x + 3 = 11 and quadratic equations such as x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0. It also distributes a number across parentheses, as in 2(x + 3) = 10.
Simplify groups terms with the same power of x. 2x + 3x - x becomes 4x. 3(x + 2) + 4(x - 1) expands first, then becomes 7x + 2.
The discriminant is b² − 4ac. When it is negative, the quadratic formula asks for the square root of a negative number, so there is no real solution.