Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Microsoft Excel has a range of functions that can be utilised for the analysis and presentation of experimental results. This text provides an introduction to these tools directed specifically toward their use in technical subjects. It begins with a basic introduction to spreadsheets in general and Microsoft Excel in particular, before discussing formulas, charts, curve-fitting, equation solving, macros, statistical functions, differentiation, integration and many associated functions. Two chapters on modelling are also incorporated bringing all the material together to show how Excel can be used to model an entire system. It rounds up with a chapter on report writing providing instruction on the best way to present results in a formal report.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. ix)
• 1 The Microsoft Excel Window
• Concepts (p. 1)
• 1 Anatomy of the Window (p. 1)
• 2 The Workspace (p. 3)
• 3 The Menu Bar (p. 6)
• 4 The Toolbars (p. 7)
• Excel 97 Update (p. 8)
• Problems (p. 8)
• 2 Printing a Worksheet
• Concepts (p. 10)
• 1 A Quick Way to Print (p. 10)
• 2 Another Way to Print (p. 11)
• 3 Page Setup (p. 11)
• 4 Changing Margins (p. 12)
• 5 Header and Footer (p. 13)
• 6 Grindlines and Row/Column Headings (p. 14)
• 7 Setting the Print Area (p. 15)
• 8 Printing Formulas (p. 15)
• 9 Printing a Large Worksheet (p. 16)
• Summary of Print Commands (p. 17)
• 3 Basic Operations
• Concepts (p. 18)
• 1 Filling in a Series of Numbers (p. 19)
• 2 Entering and Copying a Formula (p. 20)
• Notes on Copying Formulas (p. 20)
• 3 Formatting the Results (p. 21)
• Notes on Precision and Formatting (p. 22)
• 4 Displayed and Stores Values (p. 23)
• 5 Formats Get Copied (p. 24)
• 6 Goo Many Digits (p. 25)
• 7 Calculation Example (p. 26)
• 8 Absolute Address (p. 27)
• 9 Sample Calculation (p. 28)
• 10 What's in a Name? (p. 31)
• A Note about Precision (p. 33)
• Excel 97 Update (p. 34)
• Problems (p. 34)
• 4 Using Functions
• Concepts (p. 35)
• 1 AutoSum (p. 37)
• 2 The Function Wizard (p. 38)
• 3 Entering a Function Directly (p. 39)
• 4 Mixed Numeric and Text Values (p. 39)
• 5 Trigonometric Functions (p. 40)
• 6 Exponential Functions (p. 42)
• 7 Rounding Function (p. 42)
• Some Other Mathematical Functions (p. 43)
• Excel 97 Update (p. 44)
• Problems (p. 45)
• 5 The IF Function
• Concepts (p. 46)
• 1 A What-if Analysis (p. 48)
• 2 Quadratic Equation Solver (p. 50)
• 3 Protecting the Worksheet (p. 52)
• 4 Imaginary Roots (p. 52)
• 5 Logical Functions (p. 53)
• Problems (p. 54)
• 6 Charts
• Concepts (p. 55)
• Types of Charts (p. 55)
• Line and XY (Scatter) Charts (p. 55)
• Embedded Charts and Chart Sheets (p. 56)
• Anatomy of a Chart (p. 57)
• Smoothing Option (p. 57)
• 1 Creating an XY Chart (p. 58)
• 2 Changing a Chart Size and Position (p. 61)
• 3 Modifying a Chart (p. 62)
• Other Ways to Modify a Chart (p. 64)
• 4 Two Sets of Y Values (p. 64)
• 5 A Chart with Two Y Axes (p. 65)
• 6 Chart with Error Bars (p. 67)
• 7 Combination Chart (p. 68)
• 8 Changing Axis Crossings (p. 68)
• 9 Blank Cells in the Y Range (p. 69)
• 10 Selecting Non-Adjacent Data (p. 70)
• 11 A Chart with Two X Ranges (p. 70)
• 12 A Bar Chart with a Difference (p. 71)
• Excel 97 Update (p. 72)
• Problems (p. 72)
• 7 Curve Fitting
• Concepts (p. 74)
• 1 Finding the Slope and Intercept (p. 75)
• 2 Adding the Trendline to a Chart (p. 76)
• 3 Adding the Trendline Equation (p. 78)
• 4 The LINEST function (p. 80)
• 5 Non-linear Plots (p. 82)
• Problems (p. 83)
• 8 User-defined Functions
• Concepts (p. 86)
• 1 A Simple Function (p. 87)
• 2 The IF Structure (p. 90)
• 3 The SELECT Structure (p. 92)
• 4 The FOR...NEXT Looping Structure (p. 95)
• 5 Looping Structures (p. 97)
• Visual Basic Functions (p. 100)
• Variables and Data Types (p. 102)
• 6 A User-Defined Array Function (p. 103)
• 7 Inputting an Array (p. 105)
• Using Functions in Other Workbooks (p. 106)
• Excel 97 Update (p. 107)
• Problems (p. 108)
• 9 Modelling I
• Concepts (p. 109)
• 1 Model for a Bouncing Ball (p. 109)
• 2 Population Model (p. 112)
• 3 Titration Model (p. 114)
• Problems (p. 119)
• 10 Solving Equations
• A finding Roots (p. 122)
• 1 The Bisection Method (p. 122)
• Finding Roots with Goal Seek (p. 125)
• 2 A Simple Quadratic Equation (p. 125)
• 3 Solving a Cubic Equation (p. 127)
• 4 Transcendental Functions (p. 129)
• Finding Roots with Solver (p. 129)
• 5 Roots of a Cubic Equation with Solver (p. 130)
• 6 Using a Constraint (p. 132)
• B Solving Simultaneous Equations (p. 134)
• 7 A Simple Simultaneous Equations Problem (p. 135)
• 8 An Improved Simultaneous Equations Solver (p. 136)
• 9 Non-linear Simultaneous Equations Solver (p. 138)
• C Matrix Algebra (p. 139)
• 10 Some Matrix Operations (p. 140)
• 11 Solving Systems of Linear Equations (p. 141)
• Problems (p. 144)
• 11 Numerical Integration
• Concepts (p. 146)
• 1 The Trapezoid Rule (p. 148)
• 2 Simpson's 1/3 Rule (p. 150)
• 3 Adding Flexibility (p. 150)
• 4 Going Modular (p. 153)
• 5 Tabular Data (p. 155)
• Improper Integrals (p. 157)
• 6 Gaussian Integration (p. 157)
• Problems (p. 160)
• 12 Differential Equations
• Concepts (p. 163)
• 1 Euler's Method (p. 164)
• 2 The Runge-Kutta Method (p. 167)
• 3 Solving with a User-defined Function (p. 169)
• Simultaneous and Second-order Differential Equations (p. 170)
• 4 Solving a Second-order Equation (p. 171)
• 5 The Simple Pendulum (p. 173)
• Problems (p. 174)
• 13 Modelling II
• Concepts (p. 176)
• 1 The Four-bar Crank -- Using Solver (p. 176)
• 2 Temperature Profile -- Circular References (p. 181)
• 3 Temperature Profile: Matrix Method (p. 184)
• 4 Emptying the Tank (p. 186)
• 5 An Improved Tank Emptying Model (p. 190)
• Problems (p. 193)
• 14 Report Writing
• Concepts (p. 196)
• 1 Copy and Paste (p. 196)
• 2 Object Linking and Embedding (p. 198)
• 3 Embedding and Linking (p. 199)
• 4 Creating an Equation (p. 200)
• Answers to Starred Problems (p. 202)
• Index (p. 208)