Spreadsheet projects are designed to work in an online learning format, especially if the teacher can share their screen or share an editable document with their class. The style is quite different from the textbook presentation which is heavy on calculation and external applications. The spreadsheet operations do most of the calculation and the aim is exploration of structure that a real mathematician would care about.

This resource contains lessons for three days along with exercises. The content is

modular arithmetic and intermediate probability calculations with applications to encryption (shift cyphers, substitution cyphers), random/pseudo-random strings, and human bias in probability (gambler's fallacy, et cetera). It is most appropriate for an Alg2, Alg2H, or PrecalcH class.

Prerequisite knowledge:

modular arithmetic, MOD( )

Boolean operators AND( ), NOT( )

sigma notation

prime factorization, GCD

absolute and relative cell reference

drag-copy

logical value

if-then-else statements

intermediate probability: compound events, binomial coefficients, average, conditional probability

SUM( ), PRODUCT( ), AVERAGE( )

DAY 1

shift cyphers

encryption keys

select-drag

SEARCH( ) function

OFFSET( ) function

bijective functions

DAY 2

expectation value

uniform probability

relative error

letter frequency tables

substitution cyphers

COUNTIF( )

start and stop codons in the genetic code: AUG, UAG, UAA, UGA

MIN( ), MAX( )

DAY 3

intermediate probability calculations, repeated trials

gambler's fallacy

random and pseudo-random strings

highly challenging decryption exercise

Sketchy Instructions:

The "Ex" lines are for the teacher to demonstrate to the class.

The "@" lines are guided practice.

The fillable spreadsheet file serves as both notes and homework. The spreadsheet is color-coded to make input expectations clearer.

* exercises are for Alg2H

** exercises are for PrecalcH

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This is one in what I hope to be a long list of spreadsheet projects. The idea is to teach the basics of spreadsheets and simple computer programming along with required learning objectives. The .zip file includes a .pdf of instructions and a prepared, fillable, color-coded spreadsheet with a tab for each day's classwork and exercises. These lessons will be executable in an online format.

I plan to make more and have decided that they will be free. If you want to help make these better, please take the time to write feedback. Things I want most to hear about in comments:

clarity of instructions

typos

tech issues with compatibility, screen width, etc.

color vision deficiency recommendations