Date: Tue, 22 Nov 94 12:39:17 CST
From: [Permission pending]
To: rusin@math.niu.edu
Subject: Re: Need to solve x*sin(x) + cos(x) = 1

>In article <1994Nov22.160829.24037@lmpsbbs.comm.mot.com> you write:
>>The subject line says it all, and no, this is not a homework problem.
>>Are there methods available (besides trial and error) to solve such
>
>If 'methods' includes software, try asking Mathematica or Maple for
>a numeric solution. Typically what they do, and what you  could do,
>is use Newton's method: to solve an equation of the form
>f(x) = 0, use any technique you want to get a reasonable first
>estimate  x_0  of your solution, then get better and better
>estimates x_1, x_2, ... recursively through
>x_{n+1} =  x_n - ( f(x_n) / f'(x_n) )
>Once you get reasonably close to the real solution, you'll find
>that with each iteration you double the number of decimal places
>of accuracy.
>
>By the way, if you're looking for a 'closed form' solution
>(you know, square roots and sines and pi's), give up.

Well, I was hoping.... Oh, well.  

I thougth there might be some method I wasn't aware of.  I guess
I'll have to settle for an approximate answer.

Thanks.

[sig deleted]