Term

Definition

Add-in

A customized program that adds commands and features to Microsoft Office programs.

Adjustable cell

A cell that Excel changes to produce the desired result in the target cell

Answer report

A report that summarizes the results of a successful solution by displaying information about the target cell, changing cells, and constraints

Binary value

A 0 or a 1

Binding

The final value in these cells was equal to the constraint value

Changing cell

The cell whose value is changed in order to reach your goad

Constraint

A limit that is place don the problem’s solution

Goal Seek

A tool that automates the trial-and-error process by changing one cell in the worksheet to force another cell to show a specific value

Linear function

A function that can be written as the sum of a series of terms with each term multiplied by a constant value

Nonlinear problem

Any problem that involves functions that cannot be written in a simple linear form

Not Binding constraints

Constraints that were not limiting factors in the Solver solutions

Optimal Product Mix

The mix of products that satisfies customer and production constraints while, at the same time, meeting a particular goal.

Parameters

Items you must specify to use Solver:  a target cell, the adjustable cells, and the constraints that apply to your problem

Result cell

A cell contain your goal value

Sensitivity and Limits Report

Reports produced by Solver and are often used in science and engineering environments when the user wants to investigate the mathematical aspect of the solver solution.

Solver

A program that searches for the optimal solution of a problem involving several variables

Target cell

A cell that you want to maximize, minimize, or change to a specific value

Trial and Error

The process of entering reasonable values into a worksheet to try to reach a goal