Assignment for this week is to read pages EX3-1 EX3-60, submit In the Lab Page EX3-65. It is due on Monday, March 22 at 11:59 PM.

This chapter focuses on how to perform a “What If Analysis?”. Additional emphasis is also placed on the production of professional looking spreadsheets as well as on ease of use.

An important concept is that of absolute vs. relative cell references. As you have already realized, when you copy a formula using the “Fill-Handle” Excel automatically adjusts the formula to its new location. This is because a reference to a cell within a formula is not to the actual cell but rather relative to its current location. Thus, when the formula is copied, the “relative cell reference” now points to a new cell. There are times when it is desired to refer to a particular cell irrespective of the formula’s new location. We do this by using the “$” symbol to indicate that we want to refer to an absolute location. For example, a reference to $G$5 will point to cell G5 no matter where the formula is copied to. (The use of the “$” symbol has nothing to do with money.)

B2 is known as a relative cell reference, $B$2 is known as an absolute cell reference, and $B2 or B$2 are known as “mixed cell references.” in the last two cases either the column or the row is fixed – but not both.

One of the most common errors in spreadsheets is due to using relative and absolute cell references incorrectly. Be sure you understand the concept.

Another critical concept introduced in this chapter is the use of the “IF” function in conjunction with logical operators (e.g., > < <=, >=, =, <>). This powerful function allows the spreadsheet to make decisions based on the contents of a cell. The use of IF functions leads to sophisticated spreadsheets that aid the user in making critical decisions based upon changing situations. Read this section of the chapter carefully, and make sure you understand how IF functions are used.

You will need to research (using Google) the gas mileage of several vehicles. Please read the instructions carefully.

Choose an appropriate (meaningful) graph to illustrate your results (using the same data as that of the assignment). Format it appropriately.

Do not forget to answer the question in Part 2

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