HP50G and solving equations with complex numbers

[c3d]

(02-28-2017 03:00 AM)jgharris Wrote:  Am I correct that the HP50G cannot solve equations with complex numbers. For an easy example: V=I*Z where I=50A@-35 degrees and Z=(4,8) ohms? The calculator returns: Error: Bad Guess(es).

I saw somewhere searching online that one can use the MSLV command but that doesn't really work as a solver. Does a newer firmware fix this issue? I have Version: HP50-C Revision $2.15 which I believe is the latest one.

Found this old tread while trying to get an answer to the same question.

I ran into the same issue trying to check how the HP48 and HP50G solver dealt with (X-5)^2+3=0. What I find interesting is that it finds a real extremum relatively well, but even if you give (0;1) as initial guess, it still does not explore the complex space.

What I find fascinating about that is that as far as I can tell, the normal solver algorithm should work just as well with complex values, as implemented in DB48x. There is no special code for the complex case, except for a bit of random rotation when a solution is not found.

Code:


«
    '(X-5)²+3' 'X' 0+0ⅈ Root
»

This gives

Code:


:X:5.+1.73205 08075 7ⅈ

I wonder if there was a reason for the HP solver to avoid exploring the complex space.