1. Spreadsheet Applications Calculations, Visualization, and Simulation

2.  2002 Prentice Hall 2 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.. Topics

3.  2002 Prentice Hall 3 The Spreadsheet Cell A1 Cell C12 The spreadsheet consists of:  Cells (the intersection of a row and column)  Addresses (column letter and row number, e.g., A1, C12)

4.  2002 Prentice Hall 4 Spreadsheets can contain: The Spreadsheet  Values such as numbers and dates  Labels that explain what a value means, such as column and report headings

5.  2002 Prentice Hall 5 The Spreadsheet Formulas allow you to create instructions using mathematical expressions and commands + (plus) - (minus) *(multiplication) / (division) Sum Average

6.  2002 Prentice Hall 6 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. Spreadsheet Features

7.  2002 Prentice Hall 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.

8.  2002 Prentice Hall 8 Spreadsheet Features Automatic recalculation –Any time a change is entered into the spreadsheet, all data related to the change automatically updates.

9.  2002 Prentice Hall 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

10.  2002 Prentice Hall 10 Spreadsheet Features Linking spreadsheets together When the value change in one spreadsheet, the data is automatically updated in all linked spreadsheets

11.  2002 Prentice Hall 11 Spreadsheet Features Database capabilities  Search for information  Sort the data by a specific criteria  Merge the data with a word processor  Generate reports

12.  2002 Prentice Hall 12 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. “What If?”

13.  2002 Prentice Hall 13 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) Spreadsheet Graphics: From Digits to Drawings

14.  2002 Prentice Hall 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)

15.  2002 Prentice Hall 15 Accounting and Financial Management software allows you to do electronically handle routine transactions such as:  writing checks  balancing accounts  creating budgets Statistical Software: Beyond Spreadsheets

16.  2002 Prentice Hall 16 Statistical Software: Beyond Spreadsheets Mathematics Processing software turns abstract mathematical relationships into visual objects.

17.  2002 Prentice Hall 17 Statistical Software: Beyond Spreadsheets Statistical and data analysis software collects and analyzes data that tests the strength of data relationships.

18.  2002 Prentice Hall 18 Statistical Software: Beyond Spreadsheets Scientific visualization software uses shape, location in space, color, brightness, and motion to help us visualize data.

19.  2002 Prentice Hall 19 Computer modeling uses computers to create abstract models of objects, organisms, organizations, and processes. Calculated Risks: Computer Modeling and Simulation

20.  2002 Prentice Hall 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

21.  2002 Prentice Hall 21 Computer Simulations are widely used for research in the physical, biological, and social sciences, and in engineering. Computer Simulation

22.  2002 Prentice Hall 22 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 Computer Modeling and Simulation

23.  2002 Prentice Hall 23 Computer Simulation: The Risks Risks:  Simulation isn’t reality.  Not all factors can be entered into the model or simulation.