Find a solution to a multivariable nonlinear equation F(x) = 0. You can also solve a scalar equation or linear system of equations, or a system represented by F(x) = G(x) in the problem-based approach (equivalent to F(x) – G(x) = 0 in the solver-based approach). For nonlinear systems, solvers convert the equation-solving problem to the optimization problem of minimizing the sum of squares of the components of F, namely min(∑F_i²(x)). Linear and scalar equations have different solution algorithms; see Equation Solving Algorithms.

Before you begin to solve an optimization problem, you must choose the appropriate approach: problem-based or solver-based. For details, see First Choose Problem-Based or Solver-Based Approach.

For the problem-based approach, create problem variables, and then represent the equations in terms of these variables. For the problem-based steps to take, see Problem-Based Workflow for Solving Equations. To solve the resulting problem, use solve.

For the solver-based steps to take, including defining the objective function and choosing the appropriate solver, see Solver-Based Optimization Problem Setup.