1. 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

2. 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: Where the domain of x is [1, 4]

3. In Excel, we will create 2 columns: x-values and Cost values Column A will be x Column B will be C(x)

4. I input the x-values. I chose intervals of.2 from 1 to 4 Now it is time to build the function, or formula

5. In the first function cell, type = notice it adds it in the formula area of the toolbar

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

10. Now we can make a graph of the function We will use the Chart Wizard

11. Select a Line Chart and let’s use the upper left sub-type Follow the Wizard by clicking Next

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

13. Select Series and do the same for the X axis labels Click Next

14. Now fill in the Title and labels for your axes

15. Click Finish to put the chart into the Worksheet

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