Typing formula in excel

1. Jun 1, 2009

sara_87

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

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

2. Relevant equations

3. 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 dont know whats wrong with =g*(A2^(-1/b))
Thank you

2. Jun 1, 2009

Redbelly98

Staff Emeritus
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​

3. Jun 1, 2009

MATLABdude

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

4. Jun 1, 2009

sylas

That gives #, not #VALUE.

5. Jun 1, 2009

MATLABdude

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.

6. Jun 1, 2009

Redbelly98

Staff Emeritus
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.

7. Jun 2, 2009

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 [Broken]
see pages 6 and 7.
then i typed =g*(A2^(-1/b)) and this gave a #VALUE error.
But i dont know why?

Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2017
8. Jun 2, 2009

sylas

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

Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2017
9. Jun 2, 2009

sara_87

ok, thanks.
On the excel vista where's the 'solver' tool? i cant seem to find it since it's different to the windows xp.
thanks

10. Jun 2, 2009

Redbelly98

Staff Emeritus
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"?

11. Jun 2, 2009

sara_87

but on my excel, there isnt a 'tools' section. there's just:
home, insert, page layout, formulas, data, review, view.
where can i find the add-ins?
thank you

12. Jun 2, 2009

Redbelly98

Staff Emeritus
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 [Broken]

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

Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2017
13. Jun 2, 2009

Redbelly98

Staff Emeritus
14. Jun 2, 2009

sara_87

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