1. Calculations, Visualization, and Simulation
Chapter 6
Calculations, Visualization, and Simulation

2. 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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3. 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
Cell C12
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4. 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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5. The Spreadsheet
Formulas allow you to create instructions using mathematical expressions and commands
+ (plus) - (minus) *(multiplication) / (division) Sum Average
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6. Spreadsheet Features
Spreadsheets offer many automatic features such as replication of data
Type the first value in the series such as Qtr 1 or January or 500
and let the software replicate it to other cells.
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7. 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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8. 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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9. 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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10. 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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11. 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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12. “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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13. 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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14. 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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15. Statistical Software: Beyond 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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16. Statistical Software: Beyond Spreadsheets
Mathematics Processing software turns abstract mathematical relationships into visual objects.
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17. Statistical Software: Beyond Spreadsheets
Statistical and data analysis software collects and analyzes data that tests the strength of data relationships.
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18. 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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19. Calculated Risks: Computer Modeling and Simulation
Computer modeling uses computers to create abstract models of objects, organisms, organizations, and processes.
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20. 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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21. Computer Simulation
Computer Simulations are widely used for research in the physical, biological, and social sciences, and in engineering.
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22. 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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23. Computer Simulation: The Risks
Simulation isn’t reality.
Not all factors can be entered into the model or simulation.
 2002 Prentice Hall