chapter 3 - Bentham Science

• Part II: Mathematics and Sciences
Chapter 4 illustrates modular arithmetic, a topic that is relevant to mathematicians and computer
scientists. This chapter makes use of the conditional formatting of spreadsheets to
reveal interesting patterns in modular arithmetic.
Chapter 5 presents computational problem solving in context. In this chapter, some amusing
problems involving difference equations, number sequences, and polygon-like numbers are
solved with the help of spreadsheets.
Chapter 6 introduces enzyme kinetics to chemistry, biology, and biochemistry students. This
chapter includes the kinetics of enzyme reactions, linear and non-linear regression analyses,
experimental error, and the effects of inhibitors.
• Part III: Management Sciences
Chapter 7 describes a project management gaming application. The project management
game is designed as a teaching tool to allow players to experience project management in an
interactive and fun atmosphere. The game exposes players to project planning, budgeting,
resource allocation, decision making, and many other aspects of IT projects in a very realistic
manner.
Chapter 8 introduces mean-variance portfolio theory, which is part of the core curriculum
of modern finance in business education. In particular, this chapter presents an asset pricing
model in an equilibrium setting. Several spreadsheet features in matrix operations are used
to illustrate the computational task involved.
Chapter 9 presents a research study on the innovation diffusion model and the life cycle of a
high technology product applied to the sales of modems from 1994–2009, including successive
generations of modems: 14.4k, 28.8k, 56k, broadband less than 3.6Mbps, and broadband
greater than 3.6Mbps. The model is used by managers to understand the development of new
products and their life cycle.
• Part IV: General Education
Chapter 10 exploits the graphical capabilities of spreadsheets to enhance the teaching and
learning of school mathematics. Topics presented in this chapter include introductory calculus,
functions, linear algebra, conics, and stereometry.
Chapter 11 reports a research study on the use of technical software, including spreadsheets,
by graduates of actuarial studies programs in Australia. The chapter suggests some implications
for universities wishing to design curriculum to prepare students for careers in the
financial services industry.
Chapter 12 presents a case study illustrating the physical dispatch algorithm used by Australia’s
electricity market operator (AEMO) to determine which power plants to dispatch into
the grid and the resultant electricity spot price. The spreadsheet model presented in this
chapter is used in professional development workshops.
Some of these applications make use of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), a versatile computer
language that further expands the functionality of spreadsheets.
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