Business Calculus with Excel

Graph a function We graph a function in Excel by first making a table of input and output values. We then select the values for both the x and y values, then select the button to insert a scatter plot. The most common error is to only selct the output, in which case Excel assumes the sequence 1, 2, 3, ... is the input. A screencast of the production of a graph of a simple function. 1.4.1 An image of the table with selections made. 1.4.3

Graph multiple functions Two graph multiple functions we start with a chart that has the input and the output of the multiple functions, Select the column for the input and the outputs to be graphed and then insett a scatterplot. If the input variable is not included, Excel will interpret the first output varaiable as the input and give a very different graoph. If the input and functions are not next to each other in the table, you need to right click (control-click on a Mac) to select cells that are not adjacent. A screencast of the production of a graph of with several function. 1.4.7 An image of the table with multiple functions selection made. 1.4.8

Use a secondary axis. If the scales of the graphs are noticably differnt we want to use a secondary axis for one of the graphs. For example is we are graphung $f(x)=x^2$ and $g(x)=x^5$ for the interval $[-10,10]\text{,}$ the scale of $g(x)$ is so large that we cannot see what happens fith $f(x)\text{.}$ To use a secondary axis, double click a point and then select secondary axis from the axes tab. An image of two functions and secondary axes. 1.4.9

Formatting a chart. 1.4.5 Excel gives you the ability to format your chart. Clciking on a chart brings up the "Chart Design" tab. There are menus for "Add Chart Element", "Quick Layout", and "Change Chart Type".

Graph functions with parameters in the definition. We can add parameters to the table we are creating to either look at a variety of curves or to change the domain of the graph. Parameters and values that will be used throguhout the table are written as absolute references. A screencast of producing a graph with parameters. 1.4.4 An image of the table with selections made. 1.4.5