Solving Basic Math Problems in Mathematica

[sharp]

Hey guys I'm trying to learn to use mathematica and can't get even the most simple stuff to run.

Today I was trying to use it to solve some very simple problems for my Finance Math class but all I got were errors.

These are some of the problems I was trying:
a) (1.036)^n = 2.154
b) 5225(1.0255)^-n = 3750
c) [525(1.048)^n -1] / (1.048)^1/4 -1 = 3125

It's not hard stuff just some super basic review of exponents questions we had on the first day. What I really want is to start learning mathematica and this is a start.

Thanks for the help.

 

[assyrian_77]

Mathematica has a pretty good Help Browser. Why not use it? Anyway, this is how you solve an equation (I'll use x^2=1 as an example):

Solve[x^2==1,x]

Notice the double equal sign.

 

[EnumaElish]

In Math'ca for Windows version 5.x,

Solve[(1.036)^n == 2.154]

followed by Num pad Enter ("gray" Enter) or Shift-Keyboard Enter

produces

{{n -> 21.696}}

P.S. It also produces the warning

Solve::ifun: Inverse functions are being used by Solve, so some solutions may not be found; use Reduce for complete solution information.

P.P.S. NSolve[(1.036)^n == 2.154] produces exactly the same result (and warning).

 

[sharp]

Thanks guys that's just what I needed. I do try to use the help in Mathematica but I rarely find what I'm looking for.