Finish report by 3 rd May 2011

Writing Time!!!!
P1: Explain how spreadsheets can be used to solve complex problems.
Think about the attendance register that you have made so far and the techniques and features you used.
First to answer this question all you need to mention is how we can use additional worksheets, complex formulas (NESTED IF, for allocation of grades and formula to calculate the attendance percentage), cell linkage, data validation, drop down list and cell protection, such advanced features to help you solve complex problems.
Secondly explain goal seeking and how and why it can be used. Use the notes on goal seeking to help you answer this part. This is mainly to show a tool within spreadsheet to help solve complex problems.
Third, how we can use mathematical functions such as average , count, sum to help analyse data. Again use the attendance register and explain why you have used these functions to help you analyse the data. (YOU CAN USE THIS INFORMATION ALSO TO HELP YOU ANSWER D1)

Discuss how organisations can use interpretation methods to analyse data.
Again we have a lot of data within our spreadsheet. How can we interpret it or take information from the data that we have.
Likewise other organisation such as companies, colleges, charities etc will also need tools to interpret and analyse data.

• 1) Comparison of Totals:
– By the use of mathematical functions such as SUM (for the totals) SUMIF (to total certain cells with specific criteria) e.g. add all the cells that have a value greater than 11.
– The Use of MAX, MIN
– Look at other mathematical functions such as AVERAGE,
COUNT and describe what it does.
– Think about how we can use these mathematical functions to analyse data. Example Average can show the average attendance figures for the whole duration of the course.
Or the average number of sales for a particular item.

2. Trend Analysis:
– One of the tools that we use to analyse trends is by using the chart functions. This gives us the option to chose appropriate charts to display our data, so that is easier to read.
– Think about the charts you have made already for the attendance register and why you have chosen a column chart instead of a pie chart for example.
– This would be useful for a summary for example to show the best week students have come to attend or to show the number of sales for a particular item over the month.

To answer this question describe the different types of mathematical function and the use of appropriate charts to interpret and analyse data.

As time is approaching soon towards the end of the course, the final deadline for all submission of work is by the 7 th of June . This will give ample time for feedback and for you make changes accordingly.
Therefore during these holidays you may wish to visit the website where I’ll upload work for you to work on and can finish the assignment early as you wish.

• Please email the work to anas.ahmed@cwc.ac.uk
to get early feedback during the holidays.