Solver is part of a suite of commands sometimes called what-if analysis (what-if analysis: A process of changing the values in cells to see how those changes affect the outcome of formulas on the worksheet. For example, varying the interest rate that is used in an amortization table to determine the amount of the payments.) tools. With Solver, you can find an optimal value for a formula (formula: A sequence of values, cell references, names, functions, or operators in a cell that together produce a new value. A formula always begins with an equal sign (=).) in one cell— called the target cell— on a worksheet. Solver works with a group of cells that are related, either directly or indirectly, to the formula in the target cell. Solver adjusts the values in the changing cells you specify— called the adjustable cells— to produce the result you specify from the target cell formula. You can apply constraints (constraints: The limitations placed on a Solver problem. You can apply constraints to adjustable cells, the target cell, or other cells that are directly or indirectly related to the target cell.) to restrict the values Solver can use in the model, and the constraints can refer to other cells that affect the target cell formula.
Use Solver to determine the maximum or minimum value of one cell by changing other cells— for example, you can change the amount of your projected advertising budget and see the affect on your projected profit amount.
Microsoft Excel includes a workbook, Solvsamp.xls in the Office\Samples folder, that demonstrates the types of problems you can solve.
You can use the sample worksheets in Solvsamp.xls to help you set up your problems. To use any of the six worksheets— Product Mix, Shipping Routes, Staff Scheduling, Maximizing Income, Portfolio of Securities, and Engineering Design— open the workbook, switch to the worksheet you want to use, and then click Solver on the Tools menu. The target cell, adjustable cells, and constraints for the worksheet are already specified.
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