How this calculation works
Measure how well an approximate solution satisfies one linear equation.
THE FORMULA
|b−ax|/|b|A worked example
For 3x=10 with x=3, the residual is 1 and the relative residual is 0.1.
Good to know
When b is zero, report the absolute residual separately.
Reference: OpenStax Algebra and Trigonometry (opens in a new tab) ↗
Read the result
Measure how well an approximate solution satisfies one linear equation.
The primary result is labeled “Relative residual”. Keep the input definitions in view when comparing this result with another method.
Try a related calculation
When b is zero, report the absolute residual separately.
For a related exercise, try the quadratic equation solver.
A few questions, answered
How can I check the default inputs by hand?
For 3x=10 with x=3, the residual is 1 and the relative residual is 0.1.
Which rule does this calculator apply?
|b−ax|/|b|