A Spreadsheet Activity

Flip your imagination switch to the ON position and pretend that you entered a contest at the local mall to win a $1000.00 shopping spree at a toy store of your choice. Imagine the surprised look on your face when you’re called to the phone and told that you WON!

But wait! The surprised look on your face turns serious when you learn there’s a catch! You are informed that the total cost of all the toys you select must not exceed (go over) $1000.00, tax included. Also, the total cost of all the toys (tax included) must fall between $995.00 and $1000.00 or you lose everything.

"Not a problem!" you exclaim. "I have a secret weapon called a spreadsheet! I can make it do the math for me - right down to the very last penny! Show me the money!"

Print your "imaginary" $1000.00 check.

Pick one of the online stores listed below and begin shopping! Print the order form and use column A (or notebook paper) to write down all the toys you want. Record the cost of each item in and how many you’d like to buy in column C. Ignore column D today. See the first three toys Josh selected at the Wal-Mart Toyland online store.

eToys
Wal-mart

After your shopping spree at eToys and Wal-Mart, the ATM (Automated Teller Machine) machine is the right place to be! Continue spending your $1,000.00 on toys or other goodies and use a spreadsheet to keep the total cost of all the toys just under $1000.00, tax included. And don’t forget that the total cost of all the items (tax included) must fall between $995.00 and $1000.00 or you lose all the money.

Here’s more good news! If you are able to spend EXACTLY $1000.00, tax included, you win an additional $500.00 "imaginary" cash to spend. Will YOU be the one? Good luck!

Now it’s time to use a spreadsheet for calculating the exact amount of money you’re spending and how much money is left to spend out of the $1000.00. You can keep your spreadsheet open on the screen and your browser loaded with the Toys R Us or the Wal-mart Web site. This will allow you to work more efficiently if you need to switch back and forth between the two programs to check new prices online or delete items that cost too much from your spreadsheet. Choose one of the following options:

• Start using an online, interactive working spreadsheet NOW! (This is everyone’s favorite.)
• Create your own spreadsheet using the formulas in our online, interactive working spreadsheet as a guide. Simply click on the buttons labeled FN to view the formulas. You can do it!

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