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Purpose:
- To introduce students to using the computer for statistical analysis.
Grade Level/Subject/Class Time:
- High School. Math, computer technology and science/ 40 - 50 minutes
Applicable National Standards:
- Math: National and Virginia 5.18, 6.19, 6.20, 7.19, 8.13; Computer Math (COM): COM 4,23,24; and Computer Technology (C/T): C/T 5.3, 8.1, 8.2.
Skill Level
- Students should have some knowledge of terminology and application.
Key Words
- Mean, standard deviation
Materials
- Computer, Spreadsheet software and S'COOL data
Introduction
- Formulas can be written in the formula bar or you can select a formula. We will do the latter in this lesson.
Procedure
The following are general directions, which you should be able to adapt to your computer situation.
- An example for the spreadsheet set-up for your data is given at the end of this lesson. Using the S'COOL data selected by your teacher (ex. selected temperatures, % cloud cover, or other) please set up chart as shown.(Ignore answers and column C at this point).
- Write average in column A. In the example given it is cell 21A. Next highlight the cell where you would like your "average" answer to appear. In the example given that would be cell 21 B.
- Search the Menu bar for the term function
- Select the function that you wish to perform. Use average or mean for this first try.
- Drag through the numbers to be calculated (you may need to hold down the shift key while dragging.).
- Drag through the numbers to be calculated (you may need to hold down the shift key while dragging.).
- Search the Menu bar for the term function
- Select the function that you wish to perform. Use average or mean for this first try.
- Drag through the numbers to be calculated (you may need to hold down the shift key while dragging.).
- Hit Return. Your answer should appear in the desired cell. (Some common errors: Failure to drag straight, hitting the wrong cells or the same cell more than once.) Label your answer.
- You will find it considerably easier to find standard deviation using the computer than working it out by hand. When selecting the standard deviation function, first select statistics. The procedure is the same as for finding the mean. (One common error: Including a cell that you do not wish to be included. For example in the given exercise do not highlight any previous calculations, such as mean.) Label your answer in column A.
- Suppose you wish to use the same data, but you want to show them in a different column. No Problem! Highlight the top cell of the column of numbers you want copied, drag across to the cell to the right and continue dragging down the full length of the column of numbers. Search your menu bar for the command Fill right. Now you should see one column of numbers copied to the right. The example shows B copied to C.
- Highlight where you wish the answer to appear. Follow the same procedures and select mode Follow the same procedure to find median.
- Ask your teacher if you should print your spreadsheet, save it for using in a graphing program or hand in answers before deleting and closing down your computer correctly.
Example Spreadsheet
A B C TEMPERATURES IN UNITED STATES ON NOV.9 2 _________________________________________________ 3 Weather Degrees C Degrees C 4 LOCATION 5 _________________________________________________ 6 City A 84 84 7 City B 92 92 8 City C 74 74 9 City D 92 92 10 City E 92 92 11 City F 92 92 12 City G 46 46 13 City H 82 82 14 City I 84 84 15 City J 92 92 16 City K 88 88 17 City L 88 88 18 City M 84 84 19 City N 88 88 20 City O 80 80 21 Average 83.8666 22 St. Dev. 11.7465294 23 Mode 92 24 Median 88
