Students in high school, or college kids without embedded math knowledge, take note: Microsoft’s Live Search can solve math equations with variables.

That means everything from 3x=18 to x+(x*8)=256, and basically any equation where there’s a definite answer for one (possibly two?) variables can be solved from the Live Search bar. It might not be exactly new—in fact, it might have been present in MSN search years ago… but certainly under-explored.

I think it calculates up to 3 answers.

(x-1)(x-2) : x=2, x=1
x^2-3x+2=0 : x=2, x=1
(x-1)(x-2)(x-3)=0 : x=3, x=2, x=1
x^3-6x^2+11x-3=3 : x=3, x=2, x=1
(x-1)(x-2)(x-3)(x-4)=0 : fail

Anyone with a bit of mid-level math to do on occasion might consider putting a Live Search option in their search options or as a keyword. Got another go-to resource for stuff that’s beyond multiply and divide? Drop the link in the comments.

Source

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