L1 Lab Questions

Question 1

My first issue is with rounding, I was wondering if we need to use the "=round(.....),3" format, or if we would have points taken off for formatting the cells to go to a certain number of decimal places.

Response

You may use either “round” or you may format the cell.  Either is valid.

 

Question 2

I am unable to find online how to command a function to go to scientific notation so I was again wondering if I could just format the cell to be calculated in scientific notation.

Response

You can force a cell to display in scientici notation in (windows) Excel as follows

• Home Tab on Ribbon
• Format in cells group
• Format Cells when that submenu opens
• Number tab in the dialog box that opens
• Scientific choice from the category

 

Question 3

how exact you would like our values that we are using for the conversion factors such as; 39 inches per meter or if you would rather it be a more exact number with decimal places.

Response

You should use a conversion accuracy that is at least one significant digit greater than your least accurate input, preferrably more.  ie. if your least accurate input had 2 significant digits you’d use 3 digits at least – in fact I’d normally use two extra digits at least.

 

Question 4

where might I be able to find the different formulas for questions 4 and 5.

Response

We believe that we’ve given you enough information, especially when you check the units of your answers, to work out the formula.  Treat it as a word problem and figure it out.

As I explained in the section I attended, it helps for the air problem to image a 1-cubic foot box of air.  You can calculate it’s weight, then calculate the heat necessary to raise it’s temperature one degree F, then calculate the amount necessary to raise it’s heat sufficient to raise the temperature 20 deg F.  The rest should hopefully be straightforward, watching the time units carefully.