Fighting Math Fatigue With Excel

Fighting Math Fatigue with Excel

Reva Narasimhan Kean University, NJ [email protected]

Why spreadsheets?  Spreadsheet software is widely available and

easy to learn.  Algebraic concepts are often too abstract for many students.  These concepts take on more meaning when they can be explored in a concrete fashion.

Copyright (c) 2009 Reva Narasimhan

Designing Materials  Demos

Short interactive pieces to get across a single concept. Allows users to put to see pencil and paper work “come to life”

Copyright (c) 2009 Reva Narasimhan

Review Example: Slope of Line  Students tie together the

geometric, algebraic and numerical represen of the slope of a line.  The numeric representation is through a table, with the algebraic representation given by the underlying formulas used in creating the input/output table. The geometric representation is given by the resulting graph of the line. Copyright (c) 2009 Reva Narasimhan

More Demos  Parabolas: shows the effect of the

values of a,b, and c on the shape of the parabola  Composite functions: shows the

meaning of domain of composite functions Copyright (c) 2009 Reva Narasimhan

Excel Tip: Sliders  Adding sliders is straightforward – Go to

View > Toolbars > Forms  Single click on the slider icon. Position

on worksheet. Adjust size. Right click and select Format Control to describe properties for your slider. Copyright (c) 2009 Reva Narasimhan

M&M activity on decay 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Count how many total M&M’s there are in your packet. This is the initial value. Shake up M&M’s and drop the candies on a piece of paper. Count how many have “m” on top Record on paper. Remove these candies and repeat Steps 2-4 until no more candies are left. Record results in Excel spreadsheet and model the behavior. Copyright (c) 2009 Reva Narasimhan

Review Example: Solutions of Equations  Using pencil and paper,

solving an equation involves several steps of algebraic manipulation.  Students study a variety of techniques and may not necessarily realize the significance of a solution of an equation.  In Excel, solutions of equations are found using a feature called Goal Seek. Copyright (c) 2009 Reva Narasimhan

Designing Materials  Tutorials These worksheets illustrate a

particular topic in mathematics using the capabilities of Excel

They can be used as in-class activities in the course and can also be used as homework assignments Instructors may find these tutorials helpful in designing lectures which incorporate computer presentations Copyright (c) 2009 Reva Narasimhan

Summary  A spreadsheet can be used to unify algebraic, tabular

and graphical representations of an abstract concept.  Gives valuable insight which may not be gained by just pencil and paper work.  Shows students the power of technology to explore and make conjectures which would otherwise be very difficult or impossible.  Helping students build such insight is invaluable as they move on to other courses and their professions.

Copyright (c) 2009 Reva Narasimhan

More information  Download all Excel materials from

www.mymathspace.net Click into the Spreadsheets link

 Email [email protected]

Copyright (c) 2009 Reva Narasimhan