Gcse Student In Desperate Need Of Help!!!

As part of my maths GCSE, I have to create a spreadsheet based on coursework I have already done.

This spreadsheet shows me the areas of certain shapes. Basically, I have created a formula for N number of sides (which will subsequently allow me to find a shapes area).

I am having trouble though, as I dont know how to represent the value of N, and I cant seem to make the formula work!!

This is the formula:

Area of Shape= 250,000
N x TAN (180/N)

If anyone can tell me how to imput that forumal into EXCEL and make it work, that would be SO much help. Thank you very much!!

If you put the value of N into A1 could you use the formula in B1 - or wherever of

=250000/(a1*tan(180/a1))

Or maybe I am missing something? Not sure if the 250,000 was part of the formual or not - it is a bit nclear in the way it has been formatted on here. If not then would the part from a1 onwards work?

Carl

Originally Posted by Lord_Saruxi

As part of my maths GCSE, I have to create a spreadsheet based on coursework I have already done.

This spreadsheet shows me the areas of certain shapes. Basically, I have created a formula for N number of sides (which will subsequently allow me to find a shapes area).

I am having trouble though, as I dont know how to represent the value of N, and I cant seem to make the formula work!!

This is the formula:

Area of Shape= 250,000
N x TAN (180/N)

If anyone can tell me how to imput that forumal into EXCEL and make it work, that would be SO much help. Thank you very much!!

yes the 250,000 is part of the formula.

I put in that example for 5 sides and it gave me an answer of 6451, when I know that the answer for 5 sides should be 68800!!

I cant see where my error lies though...

Yeah I get the same answer myself - is the formula definitely right?

I am interpreting your formula as

250000/(N x tan(180/N))

Is there any error in that? If not - not really sure what the problem is

Carl

Originally Posted by mr_teacher

If you put the value of N into A1 could you use the formula in B1 - or wherever of

=250000/(a1*tan(180/a1))

Or maybe I am missing something? Not sure if the 250,000 was part of the formual or not - it is a bit nclear in the way it has been formatted on here. If not then would the part from a1 onwards work?

Carl

My maths teacher claims its correct


It is a simplified down version of this:


Area=((500/n) x ((500/n)/TAN (180/n))

Hmmm, tried playing around with the figures and the formula but can't get it to get anywhere near your answer of 68800 can get it to 161280.5228, 1290.244183 or 32256.10457 depending on how I use the brackets! Maybe I am missing something along the line though?

Carl

Originally Posted by Lord_Saruxi

yes the 250,000 is part of the formula.

I put in that example for 5 sides and it gave me an answer of 6451, when I know that the answer for 5 sides should be 68800!!

I cant see where my error lies though...

Yeah.... Ir'll probably just be something really simple.

I'll ask my IT teacher tommorow to see if he has any ideas, but I'll get back to you, cos I have to thank you for all ur help

No problem! Let me know how you get on - I would like to know the answer to now!! If I can help anymore if you get anymore info let me know!

Carl

Originally Posted by Lord_Saruxi

Yeah.... Ir'll probably just be something really simple.

I'll ask my IT teacher tommorow to see if he has any ideas, but I'll get back to you, cos I have to thank you for all ur help

It turns out our only problem, was where we had placed the brackets. The order of bodmas was messing up the calculations.

Final Answer:

(B10 is a cell repersenting N- where a number can be inputted)

250,000/ (B10*(Tan(PI()/180)))