[Phys-L] Re: Charts or Graphs, and other Excel stuff

[anngeorg at PACBELL.NET (Bernard Cleyet)]

"Excel automatically runs the regression line
from the first data point to the last data point.  It doesn't extend the
regression line to visually show the intercept unless you manually
extend it."  [M.E.]


I find it curious that excel calls it a trend line and then doesn't
extrapolate the "line". [The least they could do is call it a trend
curve.]  I first met the expression "tend line" in the instructions for
TI calculators. In that case they use(d) it as a predictive device.
That business use appears legitimate.

I try to use apps. written by Physicists instead of programmers (only).
  They are superior, e.g. Scott's fit and Vernier's Logger Pro /
Graphical Analysis (Notice it's not chart analysis.)  The best early
BASIC I've used was Sinclair's written, if I remember correctly, by MIT
Physicists/Mathemeticians.


> Much of the resistance that students have to taking physics classes is
> that they know they will encounter such bull-headed attitudes
> from their instructors. Join the 21st century!

Really?  I thought it was because it's one of the few classes demanding
   a new type of thinking.

"Nonsense! Why ban the most ubiquitous software ..."

Why indeed!   Because it promotes a fascistic uniformity.

bc


rlamont wrote:

> Nonsense! Why ban the most ubiquitous software on the planet?
> This is the software that students will encounter when they leave
> our classes. This is the software that their biology and
> chemistry classes use. Just because we are becoming grouchy old
> fuddy-duddies that refuse to change our ways is no reason to
> deprive students of a universally available and useful piece of
> software.
>
> Five years from now our students will not be able to remember why
> their physics instructor was so bent out of shape because they
> used the word "trendline" versus "least squares fit" - but they
> will still have Excel or something that evolves from it. Much of
> the resistance that students have to taking physics classes is
> that they know they will encounter such bull-headed attitudes
> from their instructors. Join the 21st century!
>
> Bob at PC
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Forum for Physics Educators [mailto:PHYS-
> > L@list1.ucc.nau.edu] On Behalf Of Bernard Cleyet
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 1:47 AM
> > To: PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU
> > Subject: Re: Charts or Graphs, and other Excel stuff
> >
> > Your experience and reaction is similar to those who object to
>
> the
>
> > "Encarta" dictionary.  The solution is to ban the use of excell
>
> and
>
> > adopt  another spread sheet/graphing app., e.g. Vernier's and
> > Kaleidograph.  At UCSC the dept. requires(ed) the use of an ap.
>
> that
>
> > calculates(ed) Chi-square .  Overwhelmingly we used the app.
>
> (fit)
>
> > written by Peter Scott (retired).