Sarah L. Mabrouk's Interactive MS Excel Workbooks.  Please left-click to go to the home page.

You are welcome to use these Interactive MS Excel Workbooks that I have created.  There are workbooks that allow students to explore functions, applications of quadratic functions, sequences and series, and statistics.  Please feel free to email your suggestions and/or comments.

Left-clicking the hyperlink should launch MS Excel or open the download dialog box.  If the download dialog box does not appear when you left-click on the hyperlink or if you prefer to download the file before opening it then return to this page and right-click on the link:  select the "save link as" or "save target as" option on the pop-up menu and select the location on your computer to which you would like to save the file.  Once you have saved the file, you can open  and use the file.

When you open some of these workbooks, you will need to enable the macros.  If the security level on your computer is set as high, these unsigned macros will be disabled.  If you set the security level on your computer as medium then you will be prompted when the file has macros that must be enabled, and it will be your choice to enable or to disable the macros.  Never set the security level on your computer to low since enabling all content/macros makes your computer vulnerable to potentially harmful content.

  • In order to change the Internet security level, open Internet Options in the Control Panel.  Select Custom Level on the Security tab, and select Medium in the Reset custom setting section.  To view a demonstration of this process, click here.

  • If you are using MS Excel 2003 or earlier, you need to change the security level in MS Excel in addition to the Internet Security Level.  To do this, select the Macro option on the Tools menu, and select Security... on the submenu.  On the Security Level tab, select Medium.  To view a demonstration of this process, click here

With the security level set to medium, you will be prompted to enable the macros, in any, in these interactive workbooks; for MS Excel 2007, macros are enabled using Options... button displayed on the Security Warning bar that appears below the ribbon.

Below, I have provided some information about these tools.  I have provided comments about the formats, pages, course uses, and characteristics for some of these tools.  If you have any questions about these toos, please feel free to email me.  Please email me if you include a hyperlink on your web site to any of these tools or to this page on my web site so that I can email you if I make any changes to my web site that would affect your hyperlink.

General
This tool can be used to explore basic linear and exponential functions numerically and symbolically.  The tool has several pages with directions to help students to develop the data and functions and it can be used as an exercise or as a project.
 
Percentage Investigation

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Applications of Quadratic Functions
These tools are designed to be used as assignments/projects.  Each tool has several pages on which the user is guided through the process of developing and then applying a quadratic function.  These tools have user-manipulated scrollbars as well as buttons that provide hints to help the user to develop and then apply the quadratic functions.
 
Monthly Rental Revenue
  Human Cannonball  (My personal favorite!)

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Statistics
These tools can be used as demonstrations or as guided learning tools.  Each tools has a graph with user controlled scrollbars that allow the user to manipulate a point and to view the affect of the value on the various statistics.

The Distribution tools allow the user to explore rectangular/uniform distributions, skewed-left and skewed-right distributions, and Normal distributions.  Since these tools use the Analysis ToolPak, you must enable this MS Excel Add-In.  To do this, open MS Excel, left-click the Tools menu and move to and left-click the Add-Ins entry on this menu to open the Add-Ins dialog box; left-click the check-box next to Analysis ToolPak and left-click the OK button.  The Analysis ToolPak will be enabled unless the computer on which you are working does not have a full version of MS Excel installed.  To view a demonstration regarding enabling the Analysis ToolPak Add-In, select MS Excel 2003 or earlier or MS Excel 2007.

The following tools allow the user to examine specific distribution types.  In order to generate a new distribution, press SHIFT and F9 simultaneously.
  Rectangular /Uniform
  Skewed
  Normal

The following tools allow the user to examine random distributions, the first without classification and the second with classification.  In order to generate a new distribution, press SHIFT and F9 simultaneously.
  Random Distributions
  Random Distributions with Classification

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The Exploring the Mean tool allows the user to explore how the mean of a data set as the user changes one data value using a scrollbar.
 
Exploring the Mean

The Exploring the Mean and the Median tool allows the user to explore how the mean and the median of a data set change as the user changes one data value using a scrollbar.
  Exploring the Mean and the Median

The  Five-Number Summary tool allows the user to explore how to determine the five-number summary for data sets having twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, or twenty-nine data values; the user can generate new data sets of the selected size and display the five-number summary for the data.  Since this tool uses the Analysis ToolPak, you must enable this MS Excel Add-In.  To do this, open MS Excel, left-click the Tools menu and move to and left-click the Add-Ins entry on this menu to open the Add-Ins dialog box; left-click the check-box next to Analysis ToolPak and left-click the OK button.  The Analysis ToolPak will be enabled unless the computer on which you are working does not have a full version of MS Excel installed.  To view a demonstration regarding enabling the Analysis ToolPak Add-In, select MS Excel 2003 or earlier or MS Excel 2007.
  Five-Number Summary

The Five-Number Summary with Graphs  tool allows the user to explore how to determine the five-number summary for data sets having twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, or twenty-nine data values, displaying the histogram and the Box plot for the data when the five-number summary is displayed; the user can generate new data sets of the selected size and display the five-number summary for the data.  Since this tool uses the Analysis ToolPak, you must enable this MS Excel Add-In.  To do this, open MS Excel, left-click the Tools menu and move to and left-click the Add-Ins entry on this menu to open the Add-Ins dialog box; left-click the check-box next to Analysis ToolPak and left-click the OK button.  The Analysis ToolPak will be enabled unless the computer on which you are working does not have a full version of MS Excel installed.  To view a demonstration regarding enabling the Analysis ToolPak Add-In, select MS Excel 2003 or earlier or MS Excel 2007.
  Five-Number Summary with Graphs

The Outlier Investigation  tool allows the user to explore how various statistics for a data set change as well as when a data set has and does not have outliers as the user changes one data value using a scrollbar.
  Outlier Investigation 

The Linear Regression Investigation  tool allows the user to explore linear regression as the user changes one point using a scrollbar.
  Linear Regression Investigation

The Coin Toss Investigation tool allows the user to explore probability for a fair coin's landing head-side up or tail-side up when the coin is tossed 1000 times, 5000 times, 10,000 times, and 25,000 times.  Use SHIFT F9 to re-calculate an individual sheet.  Note:  This tool takes time to load and requires the Analysis ToolPak.  To view a demonstration regarding enabling the Analysis ToolPak Add-In, select MS Excel 2003 or earlier or MS Excel 2007.
 
Coin Toss     (Coin_Toss.zip)

The Fair Die Investigation tool allows the user to explore probability for a fair die's landing to display a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 on the top face when the die is rolled 1000 times, 5000 times, 10,000 times, and 25,000 times.  Use SHIFT F9 to re-calculate an individual sheet.  Note:  This tool takes time to load and requires the Analysis ToolPak.  To view a demonstration regarding enabling the Analysis ToolPak Add-In, select MS Excel 2003 or earlier or MS Excel 2007.
 
Fair Die     (Fair_Die.zip)

The Normal Comparison tool allows the user to compare a normal curve with mean and standard deviation set by the user with scrollbars to the standard normal curve.
  Normal Comparison

The Left/Right and Between Standard Normal Distribution tools allow the user to explore the area below the standard normal curve to the left/right a user-set value or between two user-set values; the user sets the values using scrollbars.
  Standard Normal Distribution
     Left/Right
     Between

The Probability Density Function Comparison tool allows the user to compare a graphs for the probability density function for the standard normal distribution and the probability density function for the t-distribution The number of degrees of freedom for the t-distribution are set using either a scrollbar or direct entry.
  Probability Density Function Comparison

The Confidence Intervals tools allows the user to explore confidence intervals for user-set values.  If the population mean and population standard deviation are known then use the Confidence Intervals - Normal tool, and if the sample mean and sample standard deviation are known then use the Confidence Intervals - t-Distribution tool.  For each, the sample size and level of confidence must be entered; the level of confidence may be entered using scrollbars or entered directly.
  Confidence Intervals - Normal
  Confidence Intervals - t-Distribution

The Hypothesis Testing tools allow the user to explore 1-sample hypothesis testing for user-set values.  Provided the sample-size check has been performed, the Hypothesis Testing for Population Mean Tool can be used to explore to hypothesis testing for the population mean; for this tool, the population standard deviation is unknown.  Provided the sample size checks have been performed, the Hypothesis Testing for Population Proportion can be used to explore hypothesis testing for the population proportion.
 
Hypothesis Testing for Population Mean
  Hypothesis Testing for Population Proportion

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Slope Graph Exploration
These calculus tools allow the user to explore the slope graph for a function graphically and numerically. 

The Graphical tool allows the user to explore the slope graph using a line segment that is tangent to the curve.  There are pages that allow the user to explore functions based on their graph attributes, how the function is changing and the curvature; the page labels are increasing, decreasing, concave up, and concave down (increasing concave up,  decreasing concave up, increasing concave down, and decreasing concave down curves are included on these page).

   Graphical

The Graphical and Numerical tool allows the user to explore the slope graph using a line segment that is tangent to the curve; the slope of the line segment is provided.  There are pages that allow the user to explore functions based on their graph attributes, how the function is changing and the curvature; the page labels are increasing, decreasing, concave up, and concave down (increasing concave up,  decreasing concave up, increasing concave down, and decreasing concave down curves are included on these page).
   Graphical and Numerical

This tool allows the user to explore the slope graphs for the functions y = x2, y = x3, and y = (1/3)x3 + x2 + 3x - 25 graphically using a line segment tangent to the curve and numerically using the slope.  This tool has buttons that can be used to provide hints about the slope graph as well as the graph of the slope graph.
   For y = x2, y = x3, and y = (1/3)x3 + x2 + 3x - 25

Exploring Graphs of Functions
These tools can be used in General Mathematics, Basic Algebra, College Algebra, or Precalculus courses.  Each of these tools allows the user to graphically explore functions using user-manipulated scrollbars.


The Standard Form for the Equation of a Line tools allow the user to explore the equation of a line as (s)he changes the coefficients of the line expressed using standard form, ax + by = c; the use controls the coefficients of the line using scrollbars.

  Standard Form for the Equation of a Line

The Comparing Slopes of Lines tool allows the user to explore and two compare two lines and the equations of these lines, each expressed using standard form, ax + by = c, as (s)he changes the coefficients of these lines using scrollbars; the graphs of the lines as well as the equations of the lines are displayed as the user changes the coefficients.
 
Comparing Slopes of Lines

The Intersecting Lines tool allows the user to explore the relationship between two lines.  The coefficients of the two lines, specified using standard form, are controlled using scrollbars; there is a scrollbar for each coefficient.  The user is asked to determine if the lines are parallel, distinct or the same, or perpendicular.  If the lines are not parallel then the user can determine the point at which the lines intersect; if the lines intersect then the coordinates for the point are given to five decimal places.  Hints are provided for determining if the lines are distinct parallel lines, if the lines are the same, if the lines are perpendicular, and if the lines intersect; the hints can be reset. Once the user has made her/his determination if the lines are parallel, distinct or the same, or perpendicular as well as for the point, if any, at which the lines intersect then the user can enter her/his response using a option button to determine if her/his response is correct; these option buttons can be reset for additional testing.
  Intersecting Lines

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The Linear and Quadratic Functions tool allows the user (i) to compare a line in slope-intercept form, y = ax + b, to the line y = x in order to explore the values of the slope, a, and the y-coordinate of the y-intercept, b, (ii) to explore the values of the coefficients a and b in the quadratic function y = ax2 + b while comparing the graph of this function  to the graph of  the function y = x2, and (iii) to explore the the coefficients and the graph for the quadratic function in standard form y = a(x - h)2 + k.
  Linear and Quadratic Functions

These Linear and Quadratic tools allow the user to change the graph displayed from a Linear function y = Ax + B  to a Quadratic function
y = Ax2 + B using either an option button or a command button.  Each tool displays the function equation as well as the function type and allows the user to change the coefficients, A and B, for the function in order to explore the effect of theses coefficients on the graph of the function.
  Option Button:  Linear and Quadratic
  Command Buttons:  Linear and Quadratic

The Polynomial Functions tool allows the user to explore cubic, quadratic, linear, and constant functions.  The workbook opens on the cubic function page.  There are pages for cubic, quadratic, and linear functions.  The tool allows the user to explore how polynomial functions degrade from one type to another as the leading coefficient of the polynomial is set to zero (0).
  Polynomial Functions

The Exponential and Logarithmic Functions tool allows the user to explore (i) exponential functions of the form y = A(Bx), (ii) logarithmic functions of the form y = A logB x, each for various values of the coefficient, A,  and the base, B, and (iii) to explore the relationship between the functions y = Ax and y = logA x.
  Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

The Trigonometric Functions tool allows the user to explore the graphs of the cosine, sine, tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant functions.  The initial values for the function parameters have been chosen to make the initial graphs more "interesting" for the user.
  Trigonometric Functions

These tools allow the user to explore the trigonometric functions and the unit circle and to generate the graphs of the trigonometric funtions.
  Cosine, Sine, and Tangent on Unit Circle
  Tangent, Cotangent, Secant, and Cosecant on Unit Circle

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Exploring Sequences and Series
These tools can be used to explore series and sequences.

The P-Series Exploration tool allows the user to explore p-series for p = 1/2, p = 1 (the harmonic series), and p = 2 both graphically and numerically.  The user controls the number of terms in the partial sum using a scrollbar.  The partial sum can be explored graphically and numerically.
 
A P-Series Exploration

The Sequence and Series Exploration for 1/n tool allows the user to explore (i) the sequence {1/n} and (ii) the harmonic series graphically and numerically.  The user controls the value of n using a scrollbar.  In the harmonic series exploration, the user can view the number of terms in the partial sum, the value of the current term being added to the partial sum, and the value of the partial sum.
 Sequence and Series Exploration for 1/n

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Differential Equations
These tools can be used to explore differential equations.

The Pendulum Equation tool allows the user to explore the simple pendulum equation  θ'' + (g/L) θ' = 0 on the interval [0,50] with the values of L, t, and the initial values of θ and θ' changed using scrollbars.
 
Pendulum

The Mass-Spring tools allow the user to explore the equation m y'' + b y' + ky = 0 for the mass-spring system with the values of m, b, k, and the initial values of y and y' changed using scrollbars.
  Mass-Spring interval [0, 50]
  Mass-Spring interval [0, 100]
  Mass-Spring t-change 1/10
  Mass-Spring t-change 1/100

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Balancing Chemical Equations
Examination of chemical equations provides a wonderful application of systems of linear equations.  One factor that makes this application so useful is that in balancing a chemical equation the lowest positive integer coefficients are desired.  So, not only must one determine the coefficients that balance the chemical equation (satisfy the system of equations) but also make sure that these coefficients are relatively prime.

This tool can be used to explore/balance a chemical equation for which the reactant molecules are Ammonia and Oxygen and the products molecules are Nitric Oxide and Water.
  Balance

Cyanogen Gas, C2N2, has been found in outer space.  Cyanogen Gas can react with Fluorine to form Tetrafluoride, CF4, and Nitrogen Trifluoride, NF3.
  Cyanogen Gas

Nitrogen Oxide, NO, can be removed from smoke stack emissions if it is reacted with ammonia, NH3.
  Nitrogen Oxide in Smoke Stack Emissions

This reaction is used to launch astronauts into space:   Hydrazine, N2H4, is combined with Dinitrogen Tetraoxide, N2O4 to produce gaseous Nitrogen, N2, and water
  Space Launch


Winner of the ICTCM (International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics) 2006 Award for Excellence and Innovation using Technology in Collegiate Mathematics:  Sarah L. Mabrouk's Interactive MS Excel Workbooks
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This stie was created and is maintained by Sarah L. Mabrouk.  Click to send email to Sarah Mabrouk about her Interactive MS Excel Workbooks page.
This site was created and is maintained by Sarah L. Mabrouk, Mathematics Department, Framingham State University.  If you notice any broken hyperlinks, please feel free to send email.