Solving Equations

solve(x^2 - 5*x + 6 = 0, x);          # exact roots: 2, 3
solve({x + y = 5, x - y = 1}, {x, y}); # a system

When an equation has no clean exact form

fsolve(cos(x) = x, x = 0);

fsolve finds a numerical root (starting its search near the value you give it) when solve can't return something exact.

Why This Matters for Your Exams

Try solve first — getting an exact answer is strictly better when it's available. Only reach for fsolve once you've confirmed the equation genuinely has no closed form.