Why is hexadecimal useful in computing?

19. EXCEL Spreadsheets are useful for computing statistics: averages,?

• 19. EXCEL Spreadsheets are useful for computing statistics: averages, standard deviation, variance, and correlation are included as built-in functions. Below is recent monthly stock return data for ExxonMobil (XOM) and Microsoft (MSFT). Using a spreadsheet and its functions, compute the average, variance, standard deviation, and correlation between the returns for these stocks. What does the correlation between the returns imply for a portfolio containing both stocks? MONTH XOM RETURN MSFT RETURN November -4.6% 10.4% October 0.1% 13.6% September -1.9% -10.3% August -3.3% -13.8% July -4.4% -9.3% June -1.6% 5.5% May 0.7% 2.1% April 9.4% 23.9% March -0.1% -7.3% February -3.2% -3.4%

• Answer:

  Those are all functions. Go into the functions dialog (fx button), and choose the appropriate function (for instance AVERAGE). It will show you the basics of setting up the function there, and if you click "help on this function" at the bottom of that dialog it will give you instructions that are a lot more detailed.