Spreadsheet Applications

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Spreadsheet Applications
Calculations, Visualization, and Simulation
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Topics

• The Spreadsheet Software for Simulation and
  Speculation
• Statistical Software Beyond Spreadsheets
• Statistics and Data Analysis
• Scientific Visualization
• Calculated Risks Computer Modeling and
  Simulation

The purpose of computation is not numbers but
insight. R. W. Hamming..
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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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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
• Or absolute, so the formula references never
  change 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

• Automatic recalculation
• Any time a change is entered into the
  spreadsheet, all data related to the change
  automatically updates.

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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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Statistical SoftwareBeyond Spreadsheets

• Accounting and Financial Management software
  allows you to do electronically handle routine
  transactions such as
• writing checks
• balancing accounts
• creating budgets

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Statistical SoftwareBeyond Spreadsheets

• Mathematics Processing software turns abstract
  mathematical relationships into visual objects.

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Statistical Software Beyond Spreadsheets

• Statistical and data analysis software collects
  and analyzes data that tests the strength of data
  relationships.

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Statistical Software Beyond Spreadsheets

• Scientific visualization software uses shape,
  location in space, color, brightness, and motion
  to help us visualize data.

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Calculated Risks Computer Modeling and Simulation

• Computer modeling uses computers to create
  abstract models of objects, organisms,
  organizations, and processes.

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Computer Modeling and Simulation

• Examples
• computer games (chess boards, sports arenas, and
  mythological societies)
• computer models of organisms, objects, and
  organizations
• flight simulators and simulations of science lab
  activities
• managing a business, city, or nation

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Computer Simulation

• Computer Simulations are widely used for research
  in the physical, biological, and social sciences,
  and in engineering.

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Computer Modeling and Simulation

• Schools, businesses, and the military use
  simulations for training because
• Safety non-threatening environments
• Economy less expensive than real life
• Projection less threatening to systems
• Visualization allows to see and understand
• Replication allows repetition of projects

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Computer SimulationThe Risks

• Risks
• Simulation isnt reality.
• Not all factors can be entered into the model or
  simulation.

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