Deck 4: The Art of Modeling With Spreadsheets

Question 1

Colors and shading should be avoided on a spreadsheet because it distracts from the model.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The toggle feature in Excel switches back and forth between viewing formulas and viewing values in the output cells.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The Plan-Build-Test-Analyze process should always be followed step-by-step, from beginning to end: Plan then Build then Test then Analyze.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

An absolute reference does not change when it is filled or copied into other cells.

Question 5

There is a systematic procedure that will lead to a single correct spreadsheet model.

Question 6

Data (for example, prices or costs) should be entered directly into every output cell as needed.

Question 7

When a number is needed in an output cell, it should typically be entered there directly.

Question 8

The data is the first thing that should be entered in a spreadsheet model.

Question 9

When building a model, it is often a good idea to start with a small-scale version of the problem.

Question 10

A relative reference does not change when it is filled or copied into other cells.

Question 11

Once the data is entered into a spreadsheet model, it should never be moved.

Question 12

When sketching out a spreadsheet, it is important to have selected the formulas for all of the output cells.

Question 13

If you add rows or columns to a spreadsheet Excel will automatically adjust named ranges to compensate.

Question 14

In the example shown below, cell B4 is an input to cell B7.

Question 15

If two managers are given the same business problem to analyze with a spreadsheet, their spreadsheet models will likely be almost identical.

Question 16

In the example shown below, cells B7 through B18 are inputs to cell B4.

Question 17

Whenever possible, the entire model should be displayed on the spreadsheet.

Question 18

The auditing tools can be used to trace the cells that make reference to a particular cell.

Question 19

It is better to use powerful functions in Excel to complete a calculation in a single cell than to spread out a calculation over many cells using simpler formulas.

Question 20

Numbers should be included directly in formulas rather than entered separately in data cells in order to keep the spreadsheet model concise.

Question 21

In the example shown below, cell B3 is a data cell.

Question 22

An absolute reference changes when it is filled or copied into other cells.

Question 23

Which of the following is not a major step in the process of modeling with spreadsheets?

A) Plan.
B) Build.
C) Test.
D) Analyze.
E) All of the answer choices are major steps.

Question 24

The auditing tools can be used to determine which user last made changes to a particular cell.

Question 25

Which of the following best describes spaghetti code?

A) Code that is not logically organized and jumps all over the place.
B) Code that is well documented.
C) Code that has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
D) All of the answer choices are correct.
E) None of the answer choices are correct.

Question 26

A relative reference changes when it is filled or copied into other cells.

Question 27

The first step in spreadsheet building is to enter the formulas into their proper cells.

Question 28

Which of the following is not an advantage of using range names?

A) They make formulas easier to interpret.
B) They make the Solver entries easier to understand.
C) They make the model easier to modify.
D) They make the Solver entries easier to understand and they make the model easier to modify are not advantages of using range names.
E) All of the answer choices are advantages of using range names.

Question 29

When testing a spreadsheet model by entering values in the changing cells, which of the following are appropriate values to enter?

A) Zeroes.
B) Values for which you know what the values of the output cells should be.
C) Large numbers.
D) Zeros, large numbers, and inputs for which you know what the values of the output cells should be.
E) All of the answer choices are correct.

Question 30

Which of the following is an appropriate first step when building a spreadsheet model?

A) Start with building a small scale model.
B) Visualize where you want to finish.
C) Test the model.
D) Expand the model to full scale.
E) Optimize the model.

Question 31

How many cells should be used to represent each constraint?

A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
E) 4

Question 32

In the example shown below, cell C7 uses absolute reference.

Question 33

Colors and shading can be used to make a spreadsheet model much easier to read and interpret.

Question 34

Which of the following is not a part of the planning step when building a spreadsheet model?

A) Visualize where you want to finish.
B) Do some calculations by hand.
C) Sketch out a spreadsheet.
D) Test the spreadsheet model.
E) All of the answer choices are part of the planning step.

Question 35

In the example shown below, cell B2 uses an Excel formula.

Question 36

Which of the following tips can be helpful when you can't figure out what formula needs to be entered in an output cell?

A) Visualize where you want to finish.
B) Test the model.
C) Do some calculations by hand.
D) Optimize the model.
E) All of the answer choices are correct.

Question 37

In the example shown below, cell D7 uses absolute reference.

Question 38

Which of the following should be entered first when building a spreadsheet model?

A) The objective cell.
B) The data cells.
C) The changing cells.
D) The output cells.
E) The Solver parameters.

Question 39

When developing a new spreadsheet model, it is important to first get a model that works and then to go back later and change the layout so the model is easy to read.

Question 40

Which of the following are valid range names in Excel?

A) Total Profit
B) TotalProfit
C) Total_Profit
D) All of the answer choices are correct.
E) TotalProfit and Total_Profit only.

Question 41

In the spreadsheet shown below, changing the value in Cell B1 will cause which other cells to change?

A) Cell B2.
B) Cell B3.
C) Cell B7.
D) Cell D18.
E) None of the answer choices are correct.

Question 42

Before staring work on a spreadsheet, Julie sketches a rough draft of how the finished spreadsheet might look. Julie is performing which step of the modeling process?

A) Plan.
B) Build.
C) Test.
D) Analyze.
E) None of the answer choices are correct.

Question 43

A spreadsheet developer enters the formula "=$B$9*$B$10" into cell C1. If this formula is copied and then pasted into cell C2, what will the formula in cell C2 be?

A) =$B$9*$B$10
B) =C9*C10
C) =C10*C11
D) =B9*B11
E) =$B$10*$B$11

Question 44

After pressing Ctrl+~ to toggle Excel to view formulas, an analyst reviews the spreadsheet shown below. Which of the following is TRUE?

A) Cell B2 is a data cell.
B) Cell B3 is a formula cell.
C) Cell B6 is a data cell.
D) Cell B6 is a formula cell.
E) Only A and D are true.

Question 45

In the spreadsheet shown below, which of the following is NOT a data cell?

A) Cell B1.
B) Cell B2.
C) Cell B3.
D) Cell B7.
E) All of the answer choices are data cells.

Question 46

Which of the following can be done using the auditing tools in Excel?

A) Trace the cells that make reference to a particular cell.
B) Trace the cells that a particular cell refers to.
C) Trace the history of values for a particular cell.
D) Determine the valid entries in a particular cell.
E) Trace the cells that make reference to a particular cell and trace the cells that a particular cell refers to only.

Question 47

When an analyst enters data into a model to see if the results match expectations, which step of the modeling process is occurring?

A) Plan.
B) Build.
C) Test.
D) Analyze.
E) None of the answer choices are correct.

Question 48

A spreadsheet developer enters the formula "=B9*B10" into cell C1. If this formula is copied and then pasted into cell C2, what will the formula in cell C2 be?

A) =B9*B10
B) =C9*C10
C) =C10*C11
D) =B9*B11
E) =B10*B11

Question 49

A student is using a spreadsheet model to track monthly income and expenses and also to calculate his annual income. After pressing Ctrl+~, the formula view of the spreadsheet (shown below) was visible. What spreadsheet construction error did the student commit?

A) Using an advanced Excel formula instead of a simpler mathematical calculation.
B) Entering data in more than one place.
C) Failure to adequately use labels to identify cells.
D) Incorrect formula.
E) There are no errors in the spreadsheet.

Question 50

A spreadsheet developer enters the formula "=B9*B10" into cell C1. If this formula is copied and then pasted into cell D2, what will the formula in cell D2 be?

A) =B9*B10
B) =C9*C10
C) =C10*C11
D) =B9*B11
E) =B10*B11

Question 51

Which of the following are ways to distinguish data cells, changing cells, output cells, and the objective cell on a spreadsheet?

A) Borders.
B) Shading.
C) Color.
D) All of the answer choices are correct.
E) Borders and color only.

Question 52

Before building a full-scale version of her spreadsheet model, Julie constructs a smaller version of the spreadsheet. Julie is performing which step of the modeling process?

A) Plan.
B) Build.
C) Test.
D) Analyze.
E) None of the answer choices are correct.

Question 53

A manager prepared a spreadsheet to calculate employee wages. After pressing Ctrl+~, the formula view (shown below) appeared. What issues should be addressed on this spreadsheet?

A) Data should be entered only once.
B) Simple formulas should be used rather than complex Excel functions.
C) Absolute references should be used.
D) Data should be entered only once and simple formulas should be used rather than complex Excel functions only.
E) Data should be entered only once, simple formulas should be used rather than complex Excel functions and absolute references should be used.

Question 54

A spreadsheet developer enters the formula "=$B$9*$B$10" into cell C1. If this formula is copied and then pasted into cell D2, what will the formula in cell D2 be?

A) =$B$9*$B$10
B) =C9*C10
C) =C10*C11
D) =B9*B11
E) =$B$10*$B$11

Question 55

A college student is developing a spreadsheet model of a budget. To calculate the monthly surplus (or deficit), the student subtracts living expenses, entertainment costs, and savings from income. Entering which of the following formulas into cell B5 will perform the proper calculation?

A) =Monthly Income − Expenses
B) =B1 − B2 − B3 − B4
C) =B2 + B3 + B4 − B1
D) =B1 + (B2 − B3 − B4)
E) =B1 − (B2 − B3 − B4)

Question 56

When an analyst uses Solver to find the optimal solution to a problem modeled on a spreadsheet, which step in the modeling process is occurring?

A) Plan.
B) Build.
C) Test.
D) Analyze.
E) None of the answer choices are correct.

Question 57

Which of the following actions will toggle the worksheet between viewing values and formulas?

A) Pressing Ctrl+~ on a PC.
B) Pressing Command+~ on a Mac.
C) Selecting the auditing tools to Trace Dependents.
D) Pressing Ctrl+~ on a PC and pressing Command+~ on a Mac.
E) Pressing Ctrl+~ on a PC, pressing Command+~ on a Mac, and selecting the auditing tools to Trace Dependents.

Question 58

A student is using a spreadsheet to calculate her monthly surplus/deficit as well as annual income. After pressing Ctrl+~, the formula view (shown below) appeared. What issues should be addressed on this spreadsheet?

A) Data should be entered only once.
B) Simple formulas should be used rather than complex Excel functions.
C) Range names should be used.
D) Absolute references should be used.
E) No problems exist on this spreadsheet.

Question 59

A spreadsheet developer enters the formula "=B9*$B$10" into cell C1. If this formula is copied and then pasted into cell D2, what will the formula in cell D2 be?

A) =B9*$B$10
B) =C9*C10
C) =$C$10*$C$11
D) =B9*$B$11
E) =C10*$B$10

Question 60

Each data value should be entered into how many cells?

A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
E) The value should be entered into any formula in which it is needed.

Question 61

A spreadsheet modeler is creating a spreadsheet to calculate each employee's total wages for a time period. After completing the model, the analyst feels there is an error. Interpret the auditing information shown below to determine which of the following statements is TRUE.

A) There is no error in the model.
B) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours.
C) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information.
D) The model is incorrect, but it is impossible to determine why.
E) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours and the model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information are both true.

Question 62

A spreadsheet developer enters the formula "=$B$9*B10" into cell C1. If this formula is copied and then pasted into cell D2, what will the formula in cell D2 be?

A) =$B$9*B10
B) =$B$9*C11
C) =C10*C11
D) =B9*B11
E) =$B$10*$B$11

Question 63

Which of the following statements about a "good" spreadsheet model is FALSE?

A) A good model is easy to understand.
B) A good model will always give the correct result.
C) A good model is easy to modify.
D) A good model has data entered in only one location.
E) A good model uses range names to make formulas easier to understand.

Question 64

A spreadsheet modeler is creating a spreadsheet to calculate each employee's total wages for a time period. The modeler has named cell B2 "Hourly_Wage" to make the model more understandable. What formula should be entered into cell C5?

A) =B1*B5
B) =B1*$B$5
C) =Hourly_Wage*B5
D) =$B$2*Hourly_Wage
E) =Hourly_Wage +B5

Question 65

Which of the following statements is TRUE about a good spreadsheet model?

A) A good model is easy to understand.
B) A good model is easy to debug.
C) A good model is difficult for users to modify.
D) A good model doesn't use borders and shading.
E) A good model is easy to understand and a good model is easy to debug.

Question 66

Which of the following are valid range names in Excel?

A) Unit_Cost
B) Unit Cost
C) Cost per Unit
D) All of the answer choices are correct.
E) Unit Cost and Cost per Unit only.

Question 67

A spreadsheet modeler is creating a spreadsheet to calculate each employee's total wages for a time period. After completing the model, the analyst feels there is an error. Interpret the auditing information shown below to determine which of the following statements is TRUE.

A) There is no error in the model.
B) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours.
C) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information.
D) The model is incorrect, but it is impossible to determine why.
E) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours and the model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information are both true.

Question 68

A spreadsheet modeler is creating a spreadsheet to calculate each employee's total wages for a time period. After completing the model, the analyst feels there is an error. Interpret the formula information shown below to determine which of the following statements is TRUE.

A) There is no error in the model.
B) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours.
C) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information.
D) The model is incorrect, but it is impossible to determine why.
E) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours and the model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information are both true.

Question 69

A spreadsheet modeler is creating a spreadsheet to calculate each employee's total wages for a time period. After entering the data below, the modeler would like to enter a formula in cell C5 that can then be copied to cells C6 through C9 without further modification. What formula should be entered in cell C5 to make this possible?

A) =B2*B5
B) =B2*$B$5
C) =$B$2*B5
D) =$B$2*$B$5
E) =B2+B5

Question 70

Which of the following statements about a "poor" spreadsheet model is FALSE?

A) A poor model is easy to understand.
B) A poor model will always give an incorrect result.
C) A poor model is easy to modify.
D) A poor model has data entered in only one location.
E) A poor model uses range names to make formulas easier to understand.

Question 71

Which of the following statements about a good spreadsheet model is FALSE?

A) A good model is easy to understand.
B) A good model is easy to debug.
C) A good model is easy to modify.
D) A good model doesn't use borders and shading.
E) A good model is easy to understand and a good model is easy to debug.

Question 72

In the spreadsheet shown below, which of the following is a data cell?

A) Cell B1.
B) Cell B7.
C) Cell D7.
D) Cell D18.
E) All of the answer choices are data cells.

Question 73

A spreadsheet modeler is creating a spreadsheet to calculate each employee's total wages for a time period. After completing the model, the analyst feels there is an error. Interpret the auditing information shown below to determine which of the following statements is TRUE.

A) There is no error in the model.
B) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours.
C) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information.
D) The model is incorrect, but it is impossible to determine why.
E) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours and the model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information are both true.

Question 74

A spreadsheet modeler is creating a spreadsheet to calculate each employee's total wages for a time period. After completing the model, the analyst feels there is an error. Interpret the auditing information shown below to determine which of the following statements is TRUE.

A) There is no error in the model.
B) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours.
C) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information.
D) The model is incorrect, but it is impossible to determine why.
E) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours and the model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information are both true.

Question 75

A spreadsheet modeler is creating a spreadsheet to calculate each employee's total wages for a time period. After completing the model, the analyst feels there is an error. Interpret the auditing information shown below to determine which of the following statements is TRUE.

A) There is no error in the model.
B) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours.
C) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information.
D) The model is incorrect, but it is impossible to determine why.
E) The model is incorrect because it is using the wrong information for the employee hours and the model is incorrect because it is using the wrong wage information are both true.