Spreadsheets in Mathematics: Accessibility, Creativity, and Fun

A spreadsheet, such as Microsoft Excel, provides educators with a creative tool for the study and teaching of mathematics, mathematical modeling, and mathematical visualization. It enables students to gain mathematical insights into a diverse range of interesting and significant applications in an engaging setting while they simultaneously acquire practical skills in using the principal mathematical tool of the workplace. This paper illustrates novel ways to use this powerful and accessible tool and its outstanding graphic features creatively in teaching a surprising number of mathematically oriented topics. Illustrations come from such disciplines as the physical and social sciences, statistics, mathematics, computer sciences, and the arts.