title: How to evaluate a polynomial given as a string?
body: <p>I have dozens of polynomial equations, some 2nd order, some 3rd, and others 4th.  Each equation has different coefficients and constants, but none of them are overly complex since they all contain only one input variable.  The input variable x will be different for each equation.</p>
  
  <pre><code>e.g. 
  x = 11
  y = -0.00006x^4 + 0.0272x^3 - 1.4546x^2 - 17.743x + 8137.3
  y = 7801.44514
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I have these stored in a database.  I want to pull these out as a string type, and evaluate them.  I will always have the X in question.  What is a good way of handling this problem?  I am trying to use the Microsoft Foundation Solver, because I think I would be able to convert my string equation into a format that the solver understands, supply my x, and solve for y.  Unfortunately I'm not good enough to implement this.</p>