Engineering functions can be divided into four groups (see Table 17-1, Table 17-2, Table 17-3, and Table 17-4):
Conversion functions
Functions for complex numbers
Functions for higher mathematics
Saltus functions
Unlike the alphabetical arrangement in the Excel ribbon list, this chapter looks at the functions according to the preceding grouping.
The conversion functions help you convert numbers from one number system into another; for example, from the hexadecimal system common in electronic data processing to the more familiar decimal system.
With CONVERT(), you can convert one physical measurement into another. This is especially helpful when you are dealing with US measurements. For example, who actually knows all the conversion formulas for the various temperature scales from memory? This function shouldn’t be too difficult to understand. Usually what is lacking is practice with various number and measurement systems.
Table 17-1. Conversion Functions
Function | Description |
|---|---|
BIN2DEC() | Converts a binary number into a decimal number |
BIN2HEX() | Converts a binary number into a hexadecimal number |
BIN2OCT() | Converts a binary number into an octal number |
DEC2BIN() | Converts a decimal number into a binary number |
DEC2HEX() | Converts a decimal number into a hexadecimal number |
DEC2OCT() | Converts an decimal number into an octal number |
HEX2BIN() | Converts a hexadecimal number into a binary number |
HEX2DEC() | Converts a hexadecimal number into a decimal number |
HEX2OCT() | |
OCT2BIN() | Converts an octal number into a binary number |
OCT2DEC() | Converts an octal number into a decimal number |
OCT2HEX() | Converts an octal number into a hexadecimal number |
CONVERT() | Performs conversions between different measurement systems |
In principle, Excel permits only real numbers in cells, formulas, and functions. If you want to perform calculations with imaginary or complex numbers, you need to take a detour by using the functions of this group, because Excel is not able to compute the results of complex numbers directly. You can find all the necessary functions in this chapter.
Table 17-2. Functions for Complex Numbers
Function | Description |
|---|---|
COMPLEX() | Converts real and imaginary coefficients into a complex number |
IMABS() | Calculates the absolute value of a complex number |
IMAGINARY() | Calculates the imaginary part of a complex number |
IMARGUMENT() | Calculates the argument (Φ) of a complex number |
IMCONJUGATE() | Calculates the conjugate of a complex number |
IMCOS() | Calculates the cosine of a complex number |
IMDIV() | Calculates the quotient of two complex numbers |
IMEXP() | The exponential function for complex numbers |
IMLN() | Calculates the natural logarithm of a complex number |
IMLOG10() | Calculates the decadal logarithm of a complex number |
IMLOG2() | Calculates the binary logarithm of a complex number |
IMPOWER() | Exponentiates a complex number |
IMPRODUCT() | Calculates the product of complex numbers |
IMREAL() | Returns the real part of a complex number |
IMSIN() | Calculates the sine of a complex number |
IMSQRT() | Calculates the square root of a complex number |
IMSUB() | Calculates the difference between two complex numbers |
IMSUM() | Calculates the sum of complex numbers |
The third group contains functions that are typically used in engineering. This is why they are called engineering functions. To be able to use these functions, you should have knowledge of higher mathematics, especially of differential equations, error analysis, and probability theory.
Table 17-3. Functions for Higher Mathematics
Function | Description |
|---|---|
BESSELI() | Calculates a value of the modified Bessel function of the first kind In(x) |
BESSELJ() | Calculates a value of the Bessel function of the first kind Jn(x) |
BESSELK() | Calculates a value of the modified Bessel function of the second kind Kn(x) |
BESSELY() | Calculates a value of the Bessel function of the second kind Yn(x) |
ERF.PRECISE()/ERF() | Calculates a value of the Gaussian error function |
ERFC.PRECISE()/ERFC() | Calculates a value of the complement to the Gaussian error function |
There are two functions that do not fit into the conventional groupings because they are not continuous. (Mathematicians call them saltus functions, so we decided to use this name as a group title.)
The FACTDOUBLE() function was part of the Technical category (now called Engineering) until Excel 2003. In Excel 2007 and Excel 2010, the function is part of the Mathematics and Trigonometry category and is explained in Chapter 16.