Today we're learning about
Spreadsheets in AppleWorks... We will write a simple function (the computer can do the math for you!), create a data table, and create a graph.
1. Open Appleworks, select Spreadsheet.
2. Set up a formula to find your percent on the ch. 7 quiz and on the notebook check.
= formula for computer to solve
/ divide + add * multiply - subtract
( ) solve inside the parentheis first
Pretend that my score was 15 points out of 18 points possible. To
determine my percent, I'm going to divide my score by the points
possible. I set it up as: =15/18
If I type this as my formula, the computer will divide 15 by 18.
Since I want to know my percent grade, I am going to multiply this
quantity by 100.... =(15/18)*100 this will tell me
my percent on the quiz. There are other functions you can use
(averaging to find the mean, median, mode, and many more!) to help you,
this is the basics.
3. Set up a Data Table (this means type your data into the computer using columns and rows)
4. Turn the Data Table into a graph (there is a button across the top of the program, or it is also in the drop down menus)
5.
In your notebook, answer: What are two things Spreadsheets can do? How can I use a Spreadsheet in my life?
Homework tonight: Survey 10 people (ask them the same
question; it could be as simple as "How many hours of TV do you watch
each day?"), record your results in a data table (in your Science
Notebook).
By the way, other programs which can do the same as AppleWorks (if not
better) are Microsoft's Excel, and Google has come out with an online
spreadsheet tool. Google's would be useful if you are
working in a group and would like to share the file.
Click here for more information on Google's spreadsheet tool. (I must admit, this is new and I have not yet played with it).
More help with Spreadsheets in AppleWorks:
This link will allow you to download a file with sample project.