An understanding of limits is valuable for learning advanced mathematics. Fundamental to almost all branches of mathematics, studying and applying limits enable students to pursue meanings instead of calculations to many different applications. The idea of nearness to a point instead of exactness is different for many students. Using spreadsheets…

The use of technology such as computers and programmable calculators enables students to find p-values and conduct tests of hypotheses in many different ways. Comprehension and interpretation of a research problem become the focus for statistical analysis. This paper describes how to calculate chisquare statistics and p-values for statistical…

Presents activities for teaching the logistic growth model using calculators and spreadsheets. (ASK)

Points out that political and economic pressures have sometimes caused the Financial Accounting Standards Board to alter standards. Presents a spreadsheet tool that demonstrates the economic consequences of adopting accounting standards. (SK)

Describes the generation of all the tables required for school-level study of statistics using Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet package. Highlights cumulative binomial probabilities, cumulative Poisson probabilities, normal distribution, t-distribution, chi-squared distribution, F-distribution, random numbers, and accuracy. (JRH)

Describes a set of terms (viscosity, hidden dependencies, imposes guess-ahead, abstraction level, and secondary notation) intended as a set of discussion tools for nonspecialists to converse about the structural features of a range of information artifacts. Explains the terms using spreadsheets as an example. (SR)

Presents a new approach for the determination of the temperature coefficient of resistance of a resistor and a thermistor. Advantages include teaching students how to linearize data in order to utilize least-squares techniques, continuously taking data over desired temperature range, using up-to-date data-acquisition techniques, teaching the use…

Describes a spreadsheet that can be used to show the changes in intensity of Fraunhofer diffraction patterns produced by a single and double slits arrangement. Discusses a practical demonstration of diffraction that allows data to be logged and entered into the spreadsheet. (DDR)

Presents an example of an introductory lesson on spreadsheets which provides a quick overview/revision of the essential elements of spreadsheeting before progressing to programmed exercises. (ASK)

Simple problems of discrete-time optimal control can be solved using a standard spreadsheet software. The employed-solution method of backward iteration is intuitively understandable, does not require any programming skills, and is easy to implement so that it is suitable for classroom exercises with rational-expectations models. The author…

One of the most remarkable devices embedded in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is known as the spinner. Its staggering simplicity is undoubtedly its strength. As an incrementing device that allows graphs to dance across the screen, it gives the concept of variability a whole new meaning. Spinners and their close cousins scroll bars can be grabbed…

A discussion on how a spreadsheet simulation of linear-molecular spectra could be used to explore the dependence of rotational band spacing and contours on average bond lengths in the initial and final quantum states is presented. The simulation of hydrogen chloride IR, iodine UV-vis, and nitrogen UV-vis spectra clearly show whether the average…

In this technology intensive society, most students are required to be proficient in computer skills to compete in today's global job market. These computer skills usually consist of basic to advanced knowledge in word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet applications. In many U.S. states, students are required to demonstrate computer…

In this exercise the US Standard Atmosphere is used as "data" that a student is asked to model by deriving equations to reproduce it with the help of spreadsheet and graphing software. The exercise can be used as a laboratory or an independent study for a student of introductory physics to provide an introduction to scientific research…

This article shows how Microsoft Excel's ability to vary parameters with sliders allows students to "stand on the shoulders of giants" and discover characteristics of polynomial functions.