Microsoft Excel® can be a very powerful tool for studying mathematics. This presentation will show you how to

1.Input values

2.Create a function that uses the values for input

3.Create a graph of the ordered pairs

Suppose we want to input a set of values into a function just to get an idea of how the function is behaving.

Let’s examine the cost function:

4)5(6.192)( 22 xxxC

Where the domain of x is [1, 4]

In Excel, we will create 2 columns: x-values and Cost values

Column A will be x

Column B will be C(x)

I input the x-values. I chose intervals of .2 from 1 to 4

Now it is time to build the function, or formula

In the first function cell, type =

notice it adds it in the formula area of the toolbar

4)5(6.192)( 22 xxxC

Here is what we need to type in the formula area. It is based on standard computer programming and calculator operations.

In Excel:

2*sqrt(A2^2+9)+1.6*sqrt((5-A2)^2+4)

A2 is called the “reference cell”, the one with the first x value

Notice I expanded the B column to demonstrate the function is in the B2 Cell. Now hit “Enter” and the function value will appear in the cell

Now we want to expand the function to all of the cells in column B. Place the cursor on the bottom right corner, and drag the box down thru the cells in column B and release the mouse. This will fill in all of the cells.

Now we can make a graph of the function

We will use the Chart Wizard

Select a Line Chart and let’s use the upper left sub-type

Follow the Wizard by clicking Next

In the Data range select the Column B data by dragging the box to hi-light the data

Select Series and do the same for the X axis labels

Click Next

Now fill in the Title and labels for your axes

Click Finish to put the chart into the Worksheet

You can now Copy and Past the Table and Chart into a Word document.