[Solved]: How to solve a Simple Linear Equation using a binary tree data structure

Problem Detail: 

i am currently working on a school project that takes in a simple linear equation and has to return the value of x, the code i have transforms x + 3 = 3x - 2 into a binary tree format like so:

        =      /     \     +       -    / \     / \   x   3   *   2          / \         3   x 

now that i have the expression in this format could someone please explain how can i obtain the value of x, any help is appreciated and if you have an alternative method that may make it easier i would love to hear it thank you

Asked By : Darksonic6811

Answered By : Yuval Filmus

You don't really want to solve the equation using this representation. You want to convert it into a normal form such as $ax+b = 0$, from which you can read the solution. The first step would be to replace $P = Q$ with $P - Q = 0$. The second step would be to normalize $P - Q$ to some standard form, say a polynomial (or in you case, perhaps $ax+b$). One way to do this is to convert each subexpression into normal form recursively, using rules for handling leaves such as numerical constants and $x$, and mathematical operations such as $+,-,\times$.

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Question Source : http://cs.stackexchange.com/questions/41097