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Arithmetic Series using Excel
1. Open Excel by double clicking the Excel icon.
2. Label the column headings so the first column indicates the
term number, the second column contains each term, the third
column the sum of the first n terms (See below).
3. Type 1 into the first open box in the "n" column. To get 2, 3, 4,
5,... in the boxes below, create a formula that you can copy into
the 60 boxes below. If you don’t remember how to create and
copy a formula, follow the steps below.
a) Click on box A3 and type "+" to start the formula.
b) We want to add 1 to the previous term number to get the new term
number. Click on box A2, then type "+1". This adds 1 to the box above. Press
return. Box A3 should say "2" now.
c) To copy this formula to the boxes below, highlight box A3, then choose
Copy from the Edit menu.
d) Now click and drag across the 60 boxes below, then choose Paste from
the Edit menu.
e) The "n" column should now contain the number 1, 2, 3, 4, ..., 60 .
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Taken from
http://www.pleasanton.k12.ca.us/foothill/facultyres/lessons/math/series.html
edited and Revised by NPR 2/2011
4. Now you need to generate all the terms in the next column.
First lets use "9" as our t1 and "4" as the common difference, d.
Type "9" in the first open box under Tn..
5. There are two types of formulas to generate the terms: use a
recursive formula or an explicit formula.
6. Now use column C to calculate S for every n value between 1
and 60. Again, this can be done using either a recursive or implicit
formula. In the space below, write the formula that you put in C3
and indicate whether it is recursive or explicit.
7. Use a calculator to check the sum of the first six terms, S60, to
make sure your formula is working properly. In from your
spreadsheet, record the following sums.
S31=
S45=
S60=
8. Now change t1 to 5 and d to 7 and record the following values
from your spreadsheet.
S31=
S45=
S60=