Using Excel This is only a brief overview that highlights some of the useful points in a spreadsheet program.

Transcription

1 Using Excel 2007 This is only a brief overview that highlights some of the useful points in a spreadsheet program. 1. Input of data - Generally you should attempt to put the independent variable on the left and the dependent variable on the right. You can include headings, the program will recognize these and use them appropriately for the graphs. For example, if the heading of column A is Time it will use this in the graph. - If you have random data you would input one after the other but if you have data that goes up by 1 or 2 or whatever Excel will figure it out for you. Just type in the first 2 terms and then click and drag. - Click and drag (this is what I call it) is when you take the cursor to the bottom right corner of a cell until the cursor changes form. Then click the left mouse button and drag as far as you need. The cursor will change from a large cross to a small cross. The click and drag method will work for any cell - Missed some data? Need to add a row or column? If you need a row simply move your cursor to the number of the row you would like to add and right click on your mouse/pad and choose insert. The same applies to a column. 2. Creating formulas - This feature can save the user a huge amount of time. You have a couple of options at this point: a. Once you have chosen the destination cell you can use the formula function by choosing the Formulas Tab. This gives you many options such as average, maximum, sum, etc.. Follow the directions and you should be able to get the result you are looking for. You should double check once to make sure the formula is doing what you want it to. b. If the formula is not a standard function from option A then you will have to create you own formula. Once you are in the cell you want you can start creating a formula by hitting the = sign. Every formula starts with an equal sign. The next part is what will save you time. If you are multiplying or dividing numbers from 2 cells together then you specify the cells that each is in.

2 Example : Let s say you have recorded data for Friction Force in column A and Weight in column B. In column C you want the coefficient of friction which is given by u = F f /F N The formula for the cell should look something like the following: =A2/B2 - When creating formulas don t type in the cell you are using just move the cursor to the location and choose that cell. The cell will be highlighted as shown below when you choose it - Hit enter and check that the answer is the same as you calculated, if it is then continue solving your formulas by dragging the formula down - NOTE: Probably the hardest thing about creating formulas is rearranging your formula properly to get Excel to do what you want At this point you should have all the information you need and you are ready to graph. 3. Graphing To graph you can highlight the data you want to use for the independent and dependant variables. Choose the Insert Tab and then select the type of graph you want to use (pie chart, scatter plot, etc). Caution : Line graphs sometimes act strange, scatter plots work much better.

3 Once you decided on your graph type you will have a basic graph. If you want a graph title, axis titles, etc., you have a couple choices a. Once you have a graph you can choose the Design tab and choose an appropriate chart layout and make changes directly on the graph b. The other option you may prefer once you have the graph done is choose the Layout Tab and add the pieces in that you need individually If your data that you want to graph is not directly beside each other you have to highlight the first column, hold the CRTL key on your computer and then highlight the next column. Proceed to graphing from there 4. Copying data and or graphs to Word - It is often useful or required to put your work into Word - Graphs are easy. Once they are the way you want them simply right click on the graph and select copy. Back in Word simply paste it where you want. - If you want to show the table of data you may want to put a border around the data. To do this simply highlight all the data and choose the type of border you want under the font section

4 Your graph and table could look like below. Force of Friction Normal Force Coefficient of Friction Some other handy features: Automatically enlarge the cell size to fit data by moving your cursor until it is directly between the A and B on the top of the page. The cursor will change and then double click Merge and Center. If you want to have a title on your spreadsheet you can highlight the title then choose Merge and Center and it will automatically put the title in one cell to make it look uniform. Change fonts and sizes first to make it easier.

5 Changing decimal places or to % or currency. Put your cursor on the column you want to change (in A,B, etc) and choose the desired function Different Data on one spreadsheet. You can put data on different sheets by clicking the next sheet at the bottom of the page. You can also change the name of the sheet if desired. If you are stuck the ESC button should get you back to something you can work with! Hopefully, this brief overview has been helpful. It is a basic overview that allows most users to get into the program. It is an extremely powerful program and I find it useful for many things. Because a PD session on a program is only good if you try to use it I have created a couple samples to try.

6 Sample 1: The population of 5 hypothetical cities is given in the table below. A. Find the average population and the total population. B. Display the data in a bar graph on sheet 1 and in a pie chart on sheet 2. City Population Harlsford 5000 Nottingburg Taintville 6500 Clarry 9000 Welston Note: To find the average and total (sum) you can go to the Formula tab or since they are commonly used functions you can choose them of the main tab. All common and uncommon formulas can be accessed with the drop down arrow. When using a function like Average simply choose the location that you want and pick the Average formula. Excel will highlight an area it thinks you want. If it is okay simply hit enter. If it isn t the cells you want then highlight them yourself.

7 Your graphs might look something like the ones below Note: If you want to change the color of the bar or section of pie simply click on the part you want to change, go to the home tab and select the color you want.

8 Sample 2 Given the following equation Equation 1 : y = x 2 + 4x -7 Equation 2 : y = -2x 2 + 5x + 6 a. Determine the y-values for the two equations shown below using x-values from -4 to +4. b. Graph the each graph separately c. Graph all the data on one graph Hints Excel needs every mathematical function included or it won t understand what you are doing. For example 2x must be entered as 2*x. Don t type in x though. Click on the cell where x is located. If the x values are placed in column A the first equation would look like: =A2^2+4*A2-7 Remember to click and drag to copy the equation for the other values of x Your table should end up something like this: x y1 y

9 The graphs might look something like this: Hint: Remember to use the CRTL function for the second graph