Computer Confluence

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Chapter 6
Calculations, Visualization, and Simulation
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The Spreadsheet

• The spreadsheet consists of
• Cells (the intersection of a row and column)
• Addresses (column letter and row number, e.g.,
  A1, C12)

Cell A1
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The Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets can contain

• Values such as numbers and dates
• Labels that explain what a value means, such
  as column and report headings

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The Spreadsheet

• Formulas allow you to create instructions using
  mathematical expressions and commands

• (plus)- (minus) (multiplication)/
  (division) SumAverage

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Order of Operations

• Parentheses
• Multiplication / Division
• Addition / Subtraction
• Operations having the same level of priority,
  such as multiplication and division are evaluated
  from left to right
• Example
• 1 8 / 2 (3 1)
• 1 8/2 2
• 1 4 2
• 1 8
• 9

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Spreadsheet Features
Spreadsheets offer many automatic features such
as replication of data
and let the software replicate it to other cells.
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Spreadsheet Features

• Formulas can be relative, so they refer to
  different cells when they are copied

When the formula in column B is copied to column
C, it changes relative to the new column.
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Spreadsheet Features

• Formulas can also be absolute, so the cell
  references dont change when they are copied
• The before the row and column references
  prevent that part of the formula from being
  changed when its moved or copied.

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Spreadsheet Features

• Automatic recalculation

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Spreadsheet Features

• Functions (e.g., SUM, AVG, SQRT) are used to
  automate complex calculations
• Macros let you store keystrokes and commands so
  they can be played back automatically
• Templates offer ready-to-use worksheets with
  labels and formulas already entered

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Spreadsheet Features

• Linking spreadsheets together

When the value change in one spreadsheet, the
data is automatically updated in all linked
spreadsheets
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Spreadsheet Features

• Database capabilities
• Search for information
• Sort the data by a specific criteria
• Merge the data with a word processor
• Generate reports

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What If?

• Spreadsheets allow you to change numbers and
  instantly see the effects of those changes.
• What if I enter this value?
• Equation solvers
• Some spreadsheets generate data needed to fit a
  given equation and target value.

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Spreadsheet Graphics From Digits to Drawings

• Charts allow you to turn numbers into visual
  data
• Pie charts (show relative proportions to the
  whole)
• Line charts (show trends or relationships over
  time)

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Spreadsheet Graphics From Digits to Drawings

• Bar charts (use if data falls into a few
  categories)

• Scatter charts (use to discover, rather than to
  display, a relationship between two variables)

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