isolate

Rearranges an equation to isolate one variable on the left side.

Category: Mathematics > Equation Solving

Syntax

E = isolate(eqn, var)

Description

Unlike solve, isolate does not return the solution set; it rewrites the single equation, moving terms across the equals sign. It is handy for expressing one symbol of a formula in terms of the others.

Input arguments

eqn

Symbolic equation, linear in var for a guaranteed result.

var

Variable (or expression) to isolate.

Output arguments

E

Symbolic equation with var alone on the left.

Example

Solve a formula for x

syms x a b
isolate(a*x + b == 2*x, x)

ans = x == -b/(a - 2)

See also

solve lhs rhs eliminate