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What Every Engineer Should Know About Excel

By J. P. Holman

Series Editor: Philip A. Laplante

Published June 9th 2006 by CRC Press – 248 pages

Series: What Every Engineer Should Know

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Description

With the many software packages available today, it's easy to overlook the computational and graphics capabilities offered by Microsoft® Excel™. The software is nearly ubiquitous and understanding its capabilities is an enormous benefit to engineers in almost any field and at all levels of experience. What Every Engineer Should Know About Excel offers in nine self-contained chapters a practical guide to the features and functions that can be used, for example, to solve equations and systems of equations, build charts and graphs, create line drawings, and perform optimizations. The author uses examples and screenshots to walk you through the steps and build a strong understanding of the material.

With this book, you will learn how to…

  • Set up the keyboard for direct entry of most math and Greek symbols

  • Build a default scatter graph that is applicable to most simple presentations with little cosmetic modification

  • Apply many types of formats to adjust the cosmetics of graphs

  • Use 3D surface and area charts for data and functional representations, with associated cosmetic adjustments

  • Correlate data with various types of functional relations

  • Use line drawing tools to construct simple schematics or other diagrams

  • Solve linear and nonlinear sets of equations using multiple methods

  • Curve student grades using Excel probability functions

  • Model device performance using different types of regression analysis involving multiple variables

  • Manipulate Excel financial functions

  • Calculate retirement accumulation with variable contribution rate and retirement payouts to match increases in inflation

  • Apply Excel methods for optimization problems with both linear and nonlinear relations

  • Use pivot tables to manipulate both experimental data and analytical relationships

  • Calculate experimental uncertainties using Excel

  • And much more!

    • Contents

    INTRODUCTION

    Getting the Most from Excel

    Conventions

    Outline of

    MISCELLANEOUS OPERATIONS IN EXCEL AND WORD

    Introduction

    Print Screen or Screen Dump

    Custom Keyboard Setup for Symbols in Word

    Viewing or Printing Column and Row Headings and Gridlines in Excel

    Assorted Instructions

    Moving Objects in Small Increments (Nudging)

    Formatting Objects in Word, Including Wrapping

    Formatting Objects in Excel

    Use of Photo-Editing Software in Word, Including Wrapping

    Copying Cell Formulas: Effect of Relative and Absolute Addresses

    Copying Formulas by Dragging the Fill Handle

    Shortcut for Changing the Status of Cell Addresses

    Switching and Copying Columns or Rows, and Changing Rows to Columns or Columns to Rows

    Built-In Functions in Excel

    Creating Single-Variable Tables Using the DATA/TABLE Command

    Creating Two-Variable Tables Using the DATA/TABLE Command

    Problems

    CHARTS AND GRAPHS

    Introduction

    Moving Dialog Windows

    Excel Chart Wizard Window Showing Choice of x-y Scatter Charts

    Selecting and Adding Data for x-y Scatter Charts

    Changing and Adding Data for Charts Using the SOURCE DATA Command

    Adding Data to Charts Using the ADD DATA Command

    Adding Trendlines and Correlation Equations to Scatter Charts

    Equation for R2

    Correlation of Experimental Data with Power Relation

    Use of Logarithmic Scales

    Correlation with Exponential Functions

    Use of Different Scatter Graphs for the Same Data

    Plot of a Function of Two Variables with Different Chart Types

    Plots of Two Variables with and without Separate Scales

    Charts Used for Calculation Purposes or G&A Format

    Stretching Out a Chart from a Single Chart Page

    Alternate Chart Sizing Procedure Using MS Word

    Calculation and Graphing of Moving Averages

    Bar and Column Charts

    Chart Format and Cosmetics

    Surface Charts

    Suggested Scatter Graph Setting as Default Chart

    An Exercise in 3-D Visualization

    Editing Excel Charts Using Word

    Editing Excel Tables Using Word

    Alternate Procedure

    Editing Excel Charts Directly in Word by Using Grouping

    Problems

    LINE DRAWINGS AND EMBEDDED OBJECTS IN EXCEL

    Introduction

    Constructing, Moving, and Inserting Straight Line Drawings

    Inserting Items in Excel with Symbols, Subscripts, and Superscripts

    Inserting Equations or Symbols in Word Using Equation Editor

    Inserting Equations and Symbols in Excel Using Equation Editor

    Construction of Line Drawings from Plotted Coordinates

    Problems

    SOLUTION OF EQUATIONS

    Introduction

    Solutions to Single Nonlinear Equations Using Goal Seek

    Solutions to Single Nonlinear Equations Using Solver

    Iterative Solutions to Simultaneous Linear Equations

    Solutions of Simultaneous Linear Equations Using Matrix Inversion

    Solutions of Simultaneous Nonlinear Equations Using Solver

    Solver Results Dialog Box

    Comparison of Methods for Solution of Simultaneous Linear Equations

    Copying Cell Equations for Repetitive Calculations

    Creating and Running Macros

    Problems

    OTHER OPERATIONS

    Introduction

    Numerical Evaluation of Integrals

    Use of Logical IF Statement

    Histograms and Cumulative Frequency Distributions

    Normal Error Distributions

    Calculation of Uncertainty Propagation in Experimental Results

    Fractional Uncertainties for Product Functions of Primary Variables

    Multivariable Linear Regression

    Multivariable Exponential Regression

    Problems

    FINANCIAL FUNCTIONS AND CALCULATIONS

    Introduction

    Nomenclature

    Compound Interest Formulas

    Investment Accumulation with Increasing Annual Payments

    Payout at Variable Rates from an Initial Investment

    Problems

    OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS

    Introduction

    Graphical Examples of Linear and Nonlinear Optimization Problems

    Solutions Using Solver

    Solver Answer Reports for Examples

    Nomenclature for Sensitivity Reports

    Nomenclature for Answer Reports

    Nomenclature for Limits Reports

    Problems

    PIVOT TABLES

    Introduction

    Other Summary Functions for Data Fields

    Restrictions on Pivot Table Formulas

    Calculating and Charting Single or Multiple Functions f(x) vs. x Using Pivot Tables

    Calculating and Plotting Functions of Two Variables

    Problems

    REFERENCES

    INDEX

    Name: What Every Engineer Should Know About Excel (Paperback) – CRC Press 
    Description: By J. P. HolmanSeries Editor: Philip A. Laplante. With the many software packages available today, it's easy to overlook the computational and graphics capabilities offered by Microsoft® Excel™. The software is nearly ubiquitous and understanding its capabilities is an...
    Categories: Engineering & Technology, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering