EUSES Spreadsheet Problems for Teachers
Introduction to the Problems
These problems were created as part of the EUSES research studies about teaching students to use spreadsheets. They have proven very useful and helpful to students so we post them here for free use among teachers. Primarily these problems are of the level of middle to high school students and feature math concepts taught through the use of spreadsheets. The files used are available, you will need Microsoft Word and Excel.
Please feel free to send us your comments: For general comments about the EUSES Consortium or the web page eusesconsortium@eecs.oregonstate.edu and for comments about the problems niessm@onid.orst.edu.
Problems Index
Scaffolding of Problems
The list of problems below is a scaffolded enumeration of problems. We recommend that you teach with them in the order listed.
| # | Problem | Math Concept | Spreadsheet Skills | Files |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M&M Activity | Average and percentage | The "ROUND", "AVERAGE", and "SUM" functions. Graphing and labeling | |
| 2 | Target Math | Simple algebraic operations | Relative referencing and formula entry | |
| 3 | Multiplication Chart | Multiplication | Absolute cell reference and auto Copy | |
| 4 | Soft Drink | Volume and Surface area. Graphing | Percent, dollar, auto cell copy, and graphing | |
| 5 | M & M | Probability, mean, median, mode, and percents | Cell, mean, median, mode, and percents | |
| 6 | Maggie Mystery | Pie chart and probability | Pie chart and percent | |
| 7 | Climate | The concept of "range", graphical analysis of data | "MAX" and "MIN" functions, and basic formula entry, graphing | |
| 8 | Hand Dominance | Pattern recognition through analyzing graphs | Graphing | |
| 9 | Hermione Shopping | Estimating and basic algebraic operations | Relative referencing and basic general formula entry | |
| 10 | Hogwarts Expansion | Basic algebraic operations | Relative and absolute referencing, "IF" statements | |
| 11 | Fencing | Quadratic equation, maximum area, and area | XY scatter plot and auto copy | |
| 12 | Animals | Least fencing | Graphing, minimum, absolute cell reference, and auto copy | |
| 13 | Hurricane Katrina | Cost analysis based on unit price and quanity | Formula entry. absolute and relative referencing. The "SUM" and "IF" functions | |
| 14 | Pay Plan | Addition and total | Sum | |
| 15 | Cell Phone | Linear function, slope, and Y-intercept | Cell reference, dynamic change, absolute and relative cell reference | |
| 16 | Calculator Sale | Total cost and comparing | Sum and if statement | |
| 17 | DVD Cable | Line graph and intersection of line | If statement and line graph | 1_DVD_Cable.xls 1_DVD_Cable.doc |
| 18 | Old Faithful - That Trusty Old Geyser | Mean, median, mode, min, max, and quartiles. Data analysis | The "Average", "Median", "Mode", "Min", "Max", and "Quartiles" functions | |
| 19 | Vacation Plan | Distance = velocity * time and total cost | Cell reference, sum, dynamic | |
| 20 | Number Trick | Operation | Cell reference and = sign | |
| 21 | Any Pattern in Circular Objects | Relationship between the circumference and the diameter of a circle | Relative referencing, basic algebraic operations, graphing, and formula entry | |
| 22 | Marbles | Graphical relationship between mass and volume data for a set of marbles | Relative referencing | |
| 23 | A Dynamic Function Machine | Solution of a system of linear functions | Absolute and relative referencing, formula entry, algebraic operations, and graphing | |
| 24 | Linear function | Linear function and slope | Graphing | |
| 25 | The Airport Problem | Solution of a system of linear functions | Relative referencing and basic formula entry |