Excel Formula Typing for Homework: Troubleshooting #VALUE Error

[sara_87]

Homework Statement

I have the formula
S=t^(-1/b)*g
I want to type this into excel.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

For S are values typed into the second column (B)
for t are values typed into column A.
I 'named' the b and g using the name manager and set the initial values as 1.
then in the column C i want the predicted values for S so to get the first predicted value, i typed:
=g*(A2^(-1/b))

but i kept getting the #VALUE error and i don't know what's wrong with =g*(A2^(-1/b))
Thank you

 

[Redbelly98]

That #VALUE can happen when one of the "numbers" is actually text.

A few things to look at are:

What is the value in cell A2?

And, what is the result when you type these formulas:

=g

=b​

 

[MATLABdude]

It can also happen when the cell isn't wide enough to display the resultant value.

 

[sylas]

It can also happen when the cell isn't wide enough to display the resultant value.

That gives #####, not #VALUE.

 

[MATLABdude]

That gives #####, not #VALUE.

Ah, correct you are. However, I was unaware that you could assign values like that in Excel. Whenever I've done that, it's been hardcoded values, or using a locked reference like $A$5 for a value in cell A5 which you don't want automatically incremented by Excel.

EDIT: I think that might be why the OP's thing isn't working: they're trying to assign a value to b somewhere along the line, and then using the letter b in their calculations.

 

[Redbelly98]

EDIT: I think that might be why the OP's thing isn't working: they're trying to assign a value to b somewhere along the line, and then using the letter b in their calculations.

But doing that IS possible in Excel, it just has to be done properly.

Check out Insert-Name-Define for how to assign a cell's value to a variable name.

 

[sara_87]

The value in A" (first value in that column) is 138.
I used the 'name manager' to define g and b.
I defined them then in A10 i put b and in B10 i put 1
then in A11 i put g and in B11 i put 1
(I put 1 because i needed to initialize the b and g) is this wrong?
I used the idea from the website:
http://www.csupomona.edu/~seskandari/documents/Curve_Fitting_William_Lee.pdf
see pages 6 and 7.
then i typed =g*(A2^(-1/b)) and this gave a #VALUE error.
But i don't know why?

 

[sylas]

The value in A" (first value in that column) is 138.
I used the 'name manager' to define g and b.
I defined them then in A10 i put b and in B10 i put 1
then in A11 i put g and in B11 i put 1
(I put 1 because i needed to initialize the b and g) is this wrong?
I used the idea from the website:
http://www.csupomona.edu/~seskandari/documents/Curve_Fitting_William_Lee.pdf
see pages 6 and 7.
then i typed =g*(A2^(-1/b)) and this gave a #VALUE error.
But i don't know why?

Well, you are not getting #NAME? errors, so you must have defined g and b to be something.

Make sure g and b are defined to be absolute references (with dollar signs) in the name manager. That's the default. Somehow you are using things that are not numbers.

Here's what I think you are trying to do:

Cheers -- sylas

 

[sara_87]

ok, thanks.
On the excel vista where's the 'solver' tool? i can't seem to find it since it's different to the windows xp.
thanks

 

[Redbelly98]

Have you installed the Solver add-in? Just having Excel does not necessarily mean you have Solver.

Click on Tools, then Add-Ins. Is the box checked for "Solver"?

 

[sara_87]

but on my excel, there isn't a 'tools' section. there's just:
home, insert, page layout, formulas, data, review, view.
where can i find the add-ins?
thank you

 

[Redbelly98]

I see. You have Excel 2007, and I have Excel 2003. Things are laid out a lot differently.

Here are instructions for installing Solver:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP100215701033.aspx

If you get to the part where the Solver box is already checked, that means you already should have it.

 

[Redbelly98]

An easier (?) way to see if you already have Solver:

"First check whether the Solver is installed on your computer by clicking on 'data' in the menu bar. You will see 'Solver' under data analysis on the right."

(from http://www.familycomputerclub.com/excel/how-to-use-solver-in-excel-2007.html )

 

[sara_87]

Thank you.
I installed it just now.
(I didnt have it before)