Organizing and Presenting Data

Create a table using Excel:

2. Open new document (Excel).

3. Type Title in A1

4. Type the independent variable (mass, angle, length) and units in A2. Input values for independent variable starting in A4. (leave A3 blank)

5. Label dependent variable (Time Period) and units in B2. You will need to merge cells to have heading cover all of the labels in the next step

6. Label for the 3 trials, group 1 average, group 2 average, and final average in B3-G3.

7. Enter values for all trials and averages.

6. Optional: Set formula to get average of 3 trials. Click on cell where you want answer to go. Click on “Formula” tab and then “Insert Function”. Choose “Average” and select cells with your trial data.

7. Edit table (center, justify, etc).

8. Set Borders

Tips:

• Merging Cells: Select all the cells you wantRight click Format cell alignment merge

3. Fixing average values

Right click on cell Format cells number tab number category Select 2 decimal places

Create a graph using Excel:

• Select and drag down first column (independent variable) let go of the mouse click control key select and

drag down average Time period column

2. Select “Insert” tab then click “scatter”

3. Choose the first scatter choice (upper left).

6. Your graph will pop up. Then click on the

“Layout” tab to input the Title and label X

and Y axis.

Gridlines (tick Major gridlines) Click Next

5. Select (as Object in Sheet 1).

Label title of document.

6. Click Finish

7. To delete background, left double click,

select none (Area).

Using the graph to predict swing height:

• Right click on any data point in the graph Select Add Trend line Click Options Select Power click OK.

• Making projections: (target- 2.8 sec)

Backward forecast: Right click on trend line Format trend line click Options Backward enter 9.99 (this shows curve of line from 0)

Forward forecast: Right click on trend line Format trend line Options Forward enter 50 or higher

• Finding 2.8 sec (Time Period):

Make sure the Format Tab Is Selected. Double Click On an Axis. Then click on Format Selection. Change major unit (5 or 10) for X axis Change major unit for Y axis (0.2)

4. Mark predicted length based on a 2.8 Time Period.

PLAYGROUND DESIGN LAB (Swings)