Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 16:56:21 -0600 (CST)
   From: Mark Jacobson <jacobson@math-cs.cns.uni.edu>
     To: 810-021-02@uni.edu
Subject: Ghostbusters and how to Excel at problem solving...

Hi 021 students,

      Here is a brief review of and preview of some topics from today
        to be continued in future lectures, labs and soon to be handed out
        homework assignments.

      Today you saw the following in Excel:

        =RAND()
        =INT(99.999683)
        =INT(RAND() * 100 + 1)
        =LEFT("Mark Jacobson", 1)
        =MID("GHOSTBUSTERS", 6, 3)
        =CONCATENATE("Smith",  ", ",  "John")

        =MAX(B2:J14)  <--------- find the largest number (MAXimum #)
        =MIN(B2:J14)  <--------- find the smallest number (MINimum #)

        We will do the =RIGHT() Text function on Friday and/or Monday.
            On Monday, I will hand out an old quiz for a group in-class
            exercise to give you a chance to review your Excel covered
            today and Friday.

        We will also cover the =IF(), the =SUM(), the =AVERAGE() functions
           on Friday and Monday too.

     Tools menu, Options, View Formulas (to show the formulas, instead
                                         of the results of the formulas).

     Autofit the column width to be just right (Goldilocks and three bears).
     Format menu,
          Cells command,
                         alignment - align horizontally centered,
                                     align vertically centered,
                                     let the text WRAP, i.e. do some
                                     rapping, ha, ha, smile, laughter, :-)


     Regarding how to Excel at problem solving.  Computer skills whether 
they be troubleshooting problems, programming solutions, or effectively 
using application software like Photoshop, or Excel or multimedia software 
or HTML coding:

     1.  Understand the problem.  Focus on WHAT it is.   Dr. Peter Venkman
                                                         (Bill Murray)
          A.  Ask WHAT is given, WHAT is the input data,
                                 WHAT are we starting with?

          B.  Ask WHAT is the goal, or the desired results,
                                    or the required output?

     2.  Develop a PLAN of HOW to solve the problem you now have a deeper
         understanding of (from phase one of the problem solving).

         Ask HOW do you get from A to B, from the given to the goal,
                                         from the input to the output.

         Dr. Raymond Stantz is played by Dan Akroyd in Ghostbusters.

     3.  Code your PLAN in Excel or Photoshop or Java or COBOL or Fortran
         or HTML or C++.  In other words, translate your plan into
         the application software you are using such as Excel or Photoshop,

         or translate your PLAN (also known as an algorithm, i.e. a step
         by step recipe) into the programming language you are using,
         such as Fortran or COBOL or C or Java or LOGO or Snobol, etc.

         Step 3 is implementing your plan on the computer and is the
         one that requires the most detailed and specific technical
         knowledge of syntax and so on.  IMPLEMENTING the blueprint
         for a building or new automobile is similar.

         The construction crew actually implements the design that
         the architects came up with in Stant'z phase or step two.

         Or the automobile assembly line, under the direction of
         the factory floor managers, implements building the new
         2009 Ford or GM cars, which hopefully will be a revolutionary
         new type of vehicle that makes them a leader again in the
         US and the world markets (would anybody like to get 75 miles
         to the gallon, do you think?????  with a car that is very good
         and trouble free for 15 to 20 years instead of 3 or 4 years????)

         Hopefully, Ford and GM and Chrysler will spend a lot of time
         in phase one (UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM) and phase two (DEVELOP A PLAN)
         so that the new product will be very competitive!!!!

         Dr. Egon Spengler played by Harold Ramis represents this
         step 3 of the problem solving process.

         See you on Friday.

         Mark