1. All rights reserved. Copyright 2000. G. Peifer 1 Using Computer Spreadsheets to Solve Equations 1.Log into the Network and open Microsoft Excel. 2.Finding x in 6x + 2 = 3x – 4. Begin by setting up the spreadsheet as below. You will begin in cell A1. Then type a 1 in cell B3. 3.Now in cell C3 type the formula = B3 + 1 and hit Enter. This formula instructs the spreadsheet to add 1 to the value in cell B3. 4.Copy this formula to cells D3 through K3 by highlighting cell C3, selecting copy and then dragging the highlighted area to cell K3. While this row is highlighted click the paste icon. The result is that the program will add 1 to the value in the cell to the left of each cell D3 through K3. Your sheet should now look like the sheet below. You now have values of 1 through 10 for x. 5.Now we need to instruct the spreadsheet to calculate the values for the expressions 6x + 2 and 3x – 4. In cell B4, enter the following formula: =6*B3+2 In cell B5, enter the formula: =3*B3-4 6.Next we will have the computer compute the answers for the other values of x. Highlight cells B4 and B5. Edit,Copy. Now while these cells are highlighted drag the highlighted area through K4 and K5. Edit, Paste. Your spreadsheet should now look like the sheet below. 7.Now we will create a graphical display of the data. To do this highlight your data in cells A4 and A5 through K4 and K5. Click on the chart icon on the toolbar. Choose Line Graph on the left and then select the first graph on the second row. Click on Finish and your graph will appear on your spreadsheet. You may need to select your graph and move it down a little to see all your data. © 2006 Certiport.com

2. All rights reserved. Copyright 2000. G. Peifer 2 8.The resulting graph shows: The expression 6x + 2 is greater than the expression 3x – 4 for the values of x from 1 to 10. The expressions are moving to a point of intersection for values of x less than 1.(They are converging.) The expressions are diverging for values of x greater than 1. 9.The Intersection is clearly less than 1, but the spreadsheet is set up to begin with 1. To adjust it let’s change the initial value in cell B3. Enter a –5 in cell B3 and hit Enter. Watch the values and the graph be instantly updated. 10.We need to get this sheet ready for printing. Select File, Page Setup. Then choose the option Landscape. Then select the Header and Footer tab. Choose Custom Header. In the left section, type your name. Click on Ok and then Print and OK again. 11.Retrieve your page from the printer. On this printed copy, you will need to do the following to turn in to me. 1) Solve the equation algebraically. Show all steps. And 2) In two or more complete sentences, explain what this spreadsheet and graph show. 12.Finding x in 3x - 6 = 3(x -2). Select File, New and OK to start a new spreadsheet. Now we will do the same thing for the equation 3x - 6 = 3(x-2). Set your spreadsheet up like the picture below. Now in cell C3 type the formula = B3 + 1 and hit Enter. This formula instructs the spreadsheet to add 1 to the value in cell B3. Copy this formula to cells D3 through K3 by highlighting cell C3, selecting copy and then dragging the highlighted area to cell K3. While this row is highlighted click the paste icon. The result is that the program will add 1 to the value in the cell to the left of each cell D3 through K3. Your sheet should now look like the sheet below. You now have values of 1 through 10 for x. Now we need to instruct the spreadsheet to calculate the values for the expressions 3x - 6 and 3(x – 2). In cell B4, enter the following formula: =3*B3-6 In cell B5, enter the formula: =3*(B3-2)

3. All rights reserved. Copyright 2000. G. Peifer 3 Next we will have the computer compute the answers for the other values of x. Highlight cells B4 and B5. Edit,Copy. Now while these cells are highlighted drag the highlighted area through K4 and K5. Edit, Paste. Your spreadsheet should now look like the sheet below. Now we will create a graphical display of the data. To do this highlight your data in cells A4 and A5 through K4 and K5. Click on the chart icon on the toolbar. Choose Line Graph on the left and then select the first graph on the second row. Click on Finish and your graph will appear on your spreadsheet. Again you may need to move your graph in order to see all of your data. We need to get this sheet ready for printing. Select File, Page Setup. Then choose the option Landscape. Then select the Header and Footer tab. Choose Custom Header. In the left section, type your name. Click on Ok and then Print and OK again. Retrieve your page from the printer. On this printed copy, you will need to do the following to turn in to me. 1) Solve the equation algebraically. Show all steps. And 2) In two or more complete sentences, explain what this spreadsheet and graph show. Finding x in 2x + 1 = 2x + 7. Select File,New and OK to start a new spreadsheet. Now we will do the same thing for the equation 2x + 1 = 2x + 7. Set your spreadsheet up like the picture below. Now in cell C3 type the formula = B3 + 1 and Enter. This formula instructs the spreadsheet to add 1 to the value in cell B3. Copy this formula to cells D3 through K3 by highlighting cell C3, selecting copy and then dragging the highlighted area to cell K3. While this row is highlighted click the paste icon. The result is that the program will add 1 to the value in the cell to the left of each cell D3 through K3. Your sheet should now look like the sheet below. You now have values of 1 through 10 for x.

4. All rights reserved. Copyright 2000. G. Peifer 4 Now we need to instruct the spreadsheet to calculate the values for the expressions 2x + 1 and 2x + 7. In cell B4, enter the following formula: =2*B3+1 In cell B5, enter the formula: =2*B3+7 Next we will have the computer compute the answers for the other values of x. Highlight cells B4 and B5. Edit,Copy. Now while these cells are highlighted drag the highlighted area through K4 and K5. Edit, Paste. Your spreadsheet should now look like the sheet below. Now we will create a graphical display of the data. To do this highlight your data in cells A4 and A5 through K4 and K5. Click on the chart icon on the toolbar. Choose Line Graph on the left and then select the first graph on the second row. Click on Finish and your graph will appear on your spreadsheet. Move your graph down before printing, if necessary. We need to get this sheet ready for printing. Select File, Page Setup. Then choose the option Landscape. Then select the Header and Footer tab. Choose Custom Header. In the left section, type your name. Click on Ok and then Print and OK again. Retrieve your page from the printer. On this printed copy, you will need to do the following to turn in to me. 1) Solve the equation algebraically. Show all steps. And 2) In two or more complete sentences, explain what this spreadsheet and graph show. You should have 3 printouts before you leave the lab. You will turn in these printouts with your algebraic solutions and explanations at the beginning of the next class. Exit Excel. You do not need to save anything to your file if you are finished. Log Out of the computer.