Spreadsheet Project: The Aquarium

This assignment will show the basics of spreadsheets and will show that spreadsheets are good for asking "What If" questions. We will be able to change a number and the spreadsheet will automatically recalculate everything that is based on that number.

Project Scenario:
Imagine that you are in charge of feeding fish in an aquarium. You have a daily food budget of $425. Based on the cost of feeding each fish and the number of fish you have, you need to make sure you are within your food budget. At the end, you can ask "what if?" questions to see if you can afford changes in prices and changes in the numbers of fish.

Part A: Creating the Spreadsheet
Use the first example (unfilled spreadsheet) as your model from which you will create your spreadsheet. Enter the names of the fish, the numbers of the fish, and the numbers associated with feeding each fish. You should also do the following:

• Enter a title and your name
• Make the headings stand out by making them bold.
• Make the cells the right size for the data.
• Make all the money figures into currency format (so the dollar signs are automatically added).

Part B: Input the Calculations (Functions)

• Input the functions (mathematical formulas) to calculate the values for the remainder of the aquarium budget. Any number that does not appear in the unfilled spreadsheet should be calculated. Check the hints for ideas on how to create the formulas.
• Use the second example (filled spreadsheet) to see how it should look when you are done. Be careful not to merely copy the numbers. You must use functions to calculate the numbers.

Part C
When you are finished, print the spreadsheet (Print Instructions) displaying the functions, and answer the following "what if?" questions on the bottom of the printout. Write down your answers (yes or no) and describe what you did to get the answers.

1. The cost of food for the electric eels has risen to $.25 per lb. Will you be able to feed the 5 electric eels currently housed without going over budget.

2. Your crew has recently captured 2 dolphins in need of medical care. You have sufficient funds to cover their medical expenses, but you're concerned about the food budget. Can you keep both of these dolphins or should you send one or both to another aquarium?

3. The San Francisco Aquarium wishes to sell some of its numerous Lion Fish. How many can you afford to acquire?

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Hints for Formulas (Remember: All functions/formulas start with an = sign)

• The total cost per day to feed the fish (column E) is the number of fish (column B) times the amount of food eaten per fish per day (column C) times the cost of food per pound (column D). That is, column E is column B times column C times column D. Use the asterisk (*) for times. Set up the formula for the Dolphins and use fill down.
• The total cost per day for all the fish (cell B13) is the sum of the costs for each individual fish (column E). Use the SUM function to add up column E.
• The food budget per day is $425.00.
• The amount Under/Over Budget is the food budget (B14) minus the total cost (B13). If that number is positive, you are within budget. If that number is negative, you have exceeded your budget.
• The per week costs (C13 through C15) are the costs per day (B13 through B15) times 7. Use the asterisk (*) for multiplication.
• The per month costs (D13 through D15) are the costs per week times 4.5.
• The per year costs (E13 through E15) are the costs per month times 12.

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This page was prepared by Steve Glickman,
based on a lesson prepared by Dr. David M. Marcovitz.

Last Updated: September 19, 2005