Math 241
Excel Assignment #2
Mathematical Terms
Excel Functions/Tools
Frequently Asked
Questions
Mathematical
Terms
- Residue (or residual) refers to the difference of the observed and
predicted values in regression analysis.
- The difference quotient for the function f on the interval [a, b] is the quotient
[ f (b) - f (a) ]/[b - a].
- The SSE or sum of squares error is the sum of the squares of the
residues (errors) in regression analysis.
- Residue and residual are synonyms, that is, they have exactly the
same meaning.
Excel
Functions/Tools
- exp(x) returns the value of Euler's constant e raised to the power
x.
- Solver is a built-in tool in Excel that appears in the Tools menu.
If it's not there, choose Add-Ins in the Tools menu and add Solver as a
tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
- If Solver doesn't appear in the Tools menu and isn't a choice on the Add-Ins you
might need to insert the installation CD and try to install Solver from there.
You can download installation instructions from Blackboard.
- Excel can not compute derivatives symbolically or numerically, if you insist on exact answers.
However, Excel can compute difference quotients over very small intervals to get a good approximation
of the derivative. This is the strategy in the Tutorial and Exercise 2.
- Solver won't add anything to your chart or table. It will change
the values of a and b in Table 1. Each set of values for
a and b determines a candidate for the surge regression
curve for the given data. Solver chooses the values of a and
b that minimize the SSE and thus best fit the data.
- The function you are working with in Exercise 2 is the surge function
f(t) =t * exp(-t).
- Remember that if you still have questions you can post them on the
Excel Discussion Board in Blackboard