Lesson 6

Mystery Computations

Let's explore spreadsheets.

Problem 1

What could be the formula used to compute the value shown in cell B3?

A spreadsheet with rows 1 to 6 and columns A to B. A 1 contains “change these”. A 2, 7. A 3, 0. A 4, 13. A 5, 50. A 6, negative 1. B 1, “what happens here?” B 2, 20. B 3, 350. B 4, 0. B 5, 69. B 6, blank.
A:

= B3 * B4

B:

= A2 + A5

C:

= A2 * A5

D:

= Sum(A2:A6)

Problem 2

What number will appear in cell B2 when the user presses Enter?

A spreadsheet.

 

Problem 3

Select all the formulas that could be used to calculate the value in cell B4.

A spreadsheet with rows 1 to 6 and columns A to B. A 1 contains “change these”. A 2, 7. A 3, 0. A 4, 13. A 5, 50. A 6, negative 1. B 1, “what happens here?” B 2, 20. B 3, 350. B 4, 0. B 5, 69. B 6, blank.
A:

=Product(A2:A6)

B:

=Sum(A2:A6)

C:

= A2 + A3

D:

= A2 * A3

E:

= A3 * A4 * A5

F:

= A3 + A4 + A5

Problem 4

The formula in cell B2 is = Product(A2 : A5). Describe a way to change the contents of column A so that the value in cell B2 becomes -70.

A spreadsheet with rows 1 to 5 and columns A to B. A 1 contains “change these”. A 2, 10. A 3, 5. A 4, 0.  A 5, negative 7. B 1, “what happens here?” B 2, 0. All other cells are blank.

 

Problem 5

The dot plot displays the number of books read by students during the semester.

Dot plot from 3 to 14 by 1’s. Number of books read. Beginning at 3, number of dots above each increment is 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 2, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0.
  1. Which measure of center would you use given the shape of the distribution in the dot plot? Explain your reasoning.
  2. Which measure of variability would you use? Explain your reasoning.
(From Unit 1, Lesson 5.)

Problem 6

The dot plot displays the number of families living in different blocks of a town.

Dot plot from 3 to 11 by 1’s. Number of families. Beginning at 3, number of dots above each increment is 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 5, 3, 1, 0.
  1. Which measure of center would you use, given the shape of the distribution in the dot plot? Explain your reasoning.
  2. Which measure of variability would you use? Explain your reasoning.
(From Unit 1, Lesson 5.)