why are spreadsheets neceassry for algebraSolutionBy definit

why are spreadsheets neceassry for algebra

Solution

By definition, a spreadsheet is an electronic document in which data is arranged in the rows and columns of a grid and can be manipulated and used in calculations

.In fact, spreadsheets , say for example EXCEL, offer many more facilities to understand data.

A few examples are given below--this is not an exhaustive list

(1) One can locate zeros of a polynomial f(x) to desired accuracy: Suppose f(3) is positive and f(4) is negative. So

we know there exists at least one root of f(x) =0 between 3 and 4. We could tabulate the function values between 3 and 4 ,say at 3,3.01,3.02,....3.99,4.0 and get an approximarte root to desired level of accuracy.

(2) Spreadsheets offer extensive list of statistical tools- To determine parameters like average, variance, moments . We can also try to fit the given data according to various models (linear, quadratic, exponential etc) and choose the best fit for the given data.

(3) Spreadsheets could be used to solve Linear Programming problems either graphically (if the number of variables is 2 or 3) or algebrailly. By variying the input data and experimenting , we could perform sensitivity analysis as well.