The Random Variables add-in (ran_var.xla)
performs computations associated with probability distributions.
When it is installed, the OR_MM menu includes the menu items shown
at the left.
Add Random Variable: With this command a dialog is
presented with sixteen named distributions, a discrete user
distribution and a general distribution. The add-in creates
a form holding distribution parameters. All the other programs
of the add-in use random variables defined in this way.
Plot Random Variable:Up to three distributions may
be plotted using Excel graphics.
Simulate Random Variable: The add-in uses the Monte
Carlo method to simulate a function of one or more random variables.
The simulation reports sample moments and a histogram of the
simulated data.
Functions: The Function command creates a
form that defines several random variables and several functions
of the random variables.
Moments: This command is applicable to function forms
created by the Functions command. It uses either enumeration
of the sample space or simulation to determine the mean and
variance of the functions.
Relink Functions: This command is necessary when opening
a worksheet that contains user-defined functions that were created
on a different computer. The add-in searches through all formula
cells on the worksheet and whenever a user-defined function
is found, it is rewritten. This works well if the function appears
alone in a cell or is the first term after the equal sign. When
functions appear deeper in an equation, the equation will be
modified erroneously. To guard against this result, place all
user-defined functions as the first term in an equation. |