Open up document 10-1 (this is the one you worked on in the previous assignment). It should look like this: We have one column that is blank; the Avg Speed (this leg), column C. The formula for C2 is pretty easy. It is B2 divided by A2. Direct typing a formula into a cell is the quickest way to do that, but let s learn an alternate way which can be more accurate. Start by clicking in cell C2. Next type an equals sign (=) [remember that the equals sign tells Excel that there is a formula or other special entry coming]. Next, click on the cell B2. You should notice that B2 is entered to the right of the equal sign (look at the cell address window towards the top). Now, hit the forward slash (divide key), and then click on the cell A2. Hit [ENTER] to complete your formula, which should look like the following: AM Page 1
That was easy! Unfortunately, we can t copy that formula down the column using AutoFill because the formula changes; In row 3, we must calculate v and t (delta-v and delta-t; remember 9 th grade science?). This is the change in the velocity and change in the time. If we look at what formula we need for cell C3, delta-t is A3-A2 (equals 5 seconds). Delta-v is equal to B3-B2 (equals 1.45). The average speed is still distance divided by time, but we have to calculate delta t and d first. Excel calculates answers just like a calculator does; it performs multiplication and division first and addition and subtraction next. Since we need to do the subtraction first (before we divide), we must use parenthesis to tell Excel to calculate those first and THEN divide. The formula for C3 would look like =(b3-b2)/(a3-a2). In this case, Excel performs the subtraction first (because it is in parenthesis) and then it divides those answers. Your spreadsheet should look like this: Fortunately, we CAN use Autofill to copy the rest of the formulas (starting with C3), because they are all the same formula. Go ahead and use AutoFill to do that. AM Page 2
The hard part is done! However, the formatting of the numbers is just awful We re going to fix that now. Let s start with column A. We want all the numbers to show one digit to the right of the decimal point. Select cells A2 through A19 (click and drag). They will look like the example of the right. Now right-click your mouse any in your selection and choose Format Cells. You can do all sorts of things with your cells, but for now we just want to format the numbers. AM Page 3
On the left under category, choose Number. The options on the right will change a little. In the Decimal places window, choose 1. Now click on OK. All of your selected data are now formatted correctly. Let s do the same for column B. Select cells B2 to B19. Right-click and once again choose Format Cells. This time, you want two places displayed past the decimal point. Now your spreadsheet will look like the example below: Format the remaining three columns in the same way, with 2 places past the decimal point. However, since the formatting is the same in Column B as it is in Columns C, D and E, we can use a shortcut. First highlight any cell in column B between B2 and B19. Then select Format Painter (it s under the Home tab), and select all of the other cells in columns C, D and E that have data. If you did it correctly, your data will look like the example on the next page. AM Page 4
That s it for today. Nothing to turn in yet! In the next assignment we will pretty up your data and learn some new functions. AM Page 5