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3 unknowns, 2 equations solved in mcad15 !

JBlackhole
16-Pearl

3 unknowns, 2 equations solved in mcad15 !

To all

 

Q : How is it that mathcad 15 can solve a 3 unknowns , 2 equations problems?


Background
I suspect I am overlooking something so obvious as to be embarrassing. I was writing down some “blocks” of stuff to figure out/decide how to set-up some syntax in mcad for a larger worksheet. Doing so I copied-and-pasted some equations from another worksheet and to my surprise mcad solve the problem i.e. I got number out! See attached


This is based on static equilibrium Sum of force = 0 & sum of moments =0
I added a 3rd equations (sum Fx=0) and mcad solve it too – fair enough


I simply can’t quite get it – The issue is both math fundamental and understanding Mathcad. Hopefully some of the expert (you know who you are guys) can enlighten me on this


Thanks in advance

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions

Mathcad will give you the first solution its algorithm is able to find. In case of 3 variables and only 2 equations mathcad has the freedom to chose any of the (usually) infinite number of solutions. Which one it choses depends on the way the underlying algorithm is working and may also depend on the guesses and on the equations themselves.

Right click the word "find" and you will see that the algorithm is set to linear (which is perfectly OK given that equations actually are linear). Using "linear" algorithm usually sets the "superfluous" variables to zero and solves the system. Why in your case T2 is set to 0 and not the last one (T3) is beyond my knowledge. We would have to know how exactly the algorithm is implemented to find out which logic it is following.

 

Right clicking "find" you may also change the algorithm to "Nonlinear" and play around with the three algorithms offered and their options. You may get a couple of different solutions but each one actually solves the two equations and therefore is correct. I thought that Mathcad would freeze one of the variables to its guess value and solve for the other two, but in case of your underdetermined system it doesn't. Again we probably can't say why without knowing the exact implementation of the algorithms.

 

For a further set of solution you may also use the "lsolve" function. I would have expected that a solve block with the equations given in matrix form return the same results (with algorithm linear) as lsolve, but, alas, it doesn't:

Werner_E_0-1607265193295.png

 

 

Here are two simple examples of one equation in two variables and the solutions given with the various algorithms. As you can see using Levenberg-Marquardt apparently the nature of the equation determines which variable is frozen.

Werner_E_0-1607264385135.png

 

 

View solution in original post

15 REPLIES 15

See please

2 equs - 3 unknowns 

Thanks. I guess it's the "same" idea/problem. Not sure I understand the solution to the link posted - Beyond my math level I guess. One does not understand why mcad 15 solve the problem. If one was to put numbers for a real problem to solve then one gets answer. One of those "computer gave me numbers so it must be right" moment. 

You have not one but a set of solutions!

New guess values - new solution!

 

not when I try with new guesses !

LucMeekes
23-Emerald III
(To:JBlackhole)

You didn't try hard enough. Your solution is one of many:

LucMeekes_0-1607261746859.png

If you change the solve method (right-mouse on Find), to Levenberg-Marquardt, you get:

LucMeekes_1-1607261818975.png

But with Conjugate Gradient, or Quasi-Newton, no solution is found.

And of course, the symbolic solver doesn't find a sulotion:

LucMeekes_2-1607261987748.png

But with the third equation:

LucMeekes_4-1607262109032.png

Success!

Luc

 

 

You haven't finished the problem; There are vertical and horizontal components of T1, T2, and T3.

 

Sum of horizontal forces must equal zero as well.

Mathcad will give you the first solution its algorithm is able to find. In case of 3 variables and only 2 equations mathcad has the freedom to chose any of the (usually) infinite number of solutions. Which one it choses depends on the way the underlying algorithm is working and may also depend on the guesses and on the equations themselves.

Right click the word "find" and you will see that the algorithm is set to linear (which is perfectly OK given that equations actually are linear). Using "linear" algorithm usually sets the "superfluous" variables to zero and solves the system. Why in your case T2 is set to 0 and not the last one (T3) is beyond my knowledge. We would have to know how exactly the algorithm is implemented to find out which logic it is following.

 

Right clicking "find" you may also change the algorithm to "Nonlinear" and play around with the three algorithms offered and their options. You may get a couple of different solutions but each one actually solves the two equations and therefore is correct. I thought that Mathcad would freeze one of the variables to its guess value and solve for the other two, but in case of your underdetermined system it doesn't. Again we probably can't say why without knowing the exact implementation of the algorithms.

 

For a further set of solution you may also use the "lsolve" function. I would have expected that a solve block with the equations given in matrix form return the same results (with algorithm linear) as lsolve, but, alas, it doesn't:

Werner_E_0-1607265193295.png

 

 

Here are two simple examples of one equation in two variables and the solutions given with the various algorithms. As you can see using Levenberg-Marquardt apparently the nature of the equation determines which variable is frozen.

Werner_E_0-1607264385135.png

 

 

Thanks to everyone for the reply. I knew some of you guys couldn't stay away 😊. Very glad and I am glad I asked the question. The whole things goes against what one is taught about solving equations. N variable needs N equations. Given that mcad spits an answer if one was in a rush and/or the problem a bit more complicated then could believe the answer

I noticed about the linear/non-linear option but at this moment in time I am not changing this because I don't know the differences (when to use, etc) and would need to read about them 1st. The set of equations are always linear- standard mechanics stuff - sum of forces, etc

 

So before I "close" this questions: Even with 3 equations, there are an "infinite" number of solutions?

I just tried the lsolve() as suggested & demonstrated by Werner_E with 3 sets of equations and indeed the answers are different Correction: Get the same answer. Maybe need to ditch equation #1 (Sum Fx =0) and introduced a displacement-relation  (indeterminate static problem)

> Even with 3 equations, there are an "infinite" number of solutions?

That depends on the equations.

If they are not linear independent then there might be an infinite number of solutions.

Given three equations in three variables also might not have a single solution as well.

Three linear equations in three variables only have one single unique solution if the determinant A of the matrix of coefficients is different from zero. That way the matrix is invertible and you can solve the set of equations A*x=b by x=A^-1*b.

If det(A)=0 the system may have no solution or an indefinite number of solutions.

 

 

Forgot about this !

Using the lsolve() set det(A) is not zero if I got this right

JXB_1-1607274841267.png

 

 

"So before I "close" this questions: Even with 3 equations, there are an "infinite" number of solutions?"

 

No, Because you missed an equation (for horizontal forces.

 

There's one answer, and if it looks strange then you and I have screwed up the constraints.

 

Attached is Prime 4.0 Express and a pdf of that file.

Fred

Thanks a lot. I am getting this too

JXB_0-1607275562539.pngJXB_1-1607275581723.png

T3 = 0 seems odd 

Just a thought - are you sure about

Werner_E_0-1607278868302.png

Could it be rather

Werner_E_1-1607279008982.png

After all there is a symmetry btw T2 and T3 wrt W.

In this case det(A)=0

 

Another remark: Instead of angle(...,...)-360deg you could also use atan2(...,...)

 

I need to check this as you might be right. Might be a “left over “ of something I was playing with and left it behind. Well spotted

Thanks for the atan2 hint as well

That no unique solution to the three support problem exists can be demonstrated.

 

Attached is a vector treatment of this problem, which simplifies the understanding of the relationships.  Any two of the three supports will result in a unique solution; some of them better than others.

 

Just putting "PAID" to this issue for myself.

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