Name: Jessica De Bruin
December 16, 2008

(1) Making projections: A spreadsheet program stores and calculates information in a structured array of data cells. By defining relationships between information in cells, a user can see the effects of data changes on other data in the spreadsheet (see tutorial). Spreadsheets are "number crunchers" and are useful when ever teachers or students need to perform numerous calculations.
·  Both students and teachers should be able to perform "what-if" analyses to project budgets, grades or other numeric values. Analyze the sample family budget and make reasonable recommendations to balance the budget should one of the wage earners lose their job. Include a printout of your balanced budget.

The most important expenses were kept within the budget. For example, groceries and mortgage could not be changed too dramatically. Other things, such as clothing and vacation savings can be sacrificed for a few months until the other person gets a job to contribute to the household expenses.

(2) Graphing and interpreting data: One of the most important analytical skills for students is the ability to read and interpret graphs. Fortunately, spreadsheet programs can graph data and provide opportunities for analysis and discussion.
·  Create two or more different types of graphs (chart) from spreadsheets related to your discipline. Make sure the graph is meaningful and is fully and correctly labeled. Copy the graphs into the portfolio. Write two or more questions (and provide answers) for each graph.

Which King of Spain had the longest reign and what were the dates of his reign? King John II of Castille reigned Spain for 48 years. King John II had the longest bars in the graph, therefore he ruled the longest.

Between what dates does this graph represent? 1252-1454 The graphs begin at the year 1252 and end at 1454.

What do the series differences between the two graph bars represent? They represent the amount of time each Spanish King was in rule. Some gaps are larger because that person ruled longer.

Why do all the bars begin at the same time, in 1150? All of those Kings did not rule at the same time, the importance is the gap between the two bars which means the amount of time and when they were in power.

(3) Creating a spreadsheet for your subject:
·  Create a new spreadsheet or a new worksheet in an existing spreadsheet file. Your worksheet should include a variety of useful calculations based upon cells in your new worksheet and/or associated ones in your modified spreadsheet file. Include a printout of your new spreadsheet in your portfolio and describe the purpose of your spreadsheet and describe how you would use it in your class.

This spreadsheet can be used within the classroom to find out the final scores of a players statistics. Students can just change the information on a player, and the final scores change at the end. Information can be added as well and the information will fix itself accordingly. This is a good tool to use because inputting information into one field will affect the end results. This can be used, for example, to calculate student grades or tests. It gives percentages, ranks, and scores. You can add as many different columns and rows you want and it will allow the information to correct itself at the end results.

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