Pollution Data Analysis – Step-by-Step Instructions
1. OPENING THE FILE
– Open Excel or LibreOffice Calc.
– Go to File → Open and select the provided PM10 dataset.
– Confirm that column A contains dates/times and column B contains pollution values.
2. MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM VALUES (Excel)
Maximum Value:
=MAX(B:B) — Finds the highest value in column B.
Date of Maximum:
=XLOOKUP(MAX(B:B), B:B, A:A) — Finds the date matching the max value.
Minimum Value:
=MIN(B:B) — Finds the lowest value in column B.
Date of Minimum:
=XLOOKUP(MIN(B:B), B:B, A:A) — Finds the date matching the min value.
3. MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM VALUES (LibreOffice Calc)
Maximum Value:
=MAX(B:B) — Finds the highest value in column B.
Minimum Value:
=MIN(B:B) — Finds the lowest value in column B.
Date of Maximum:
=INDEX(A:A; MATCH(MAX(B:B); B:B; 0))
Explanation:
This formula finds the date when the highest PM10 value occurred. It works in two steps:
1. MATCH(MAX(B:B); B:B; 0) — Finds the row number where the maximum value appears in column
B.
2. INDEX(A:A; ) — Takes that row number and returns the corresponding date from column A.
Date of Minimum:
=INDEX(A:A; MATCH(MIN(B:B); B:B; 0))
4. AVERAGE POLLUTION FOR APRIL=AVERAGE(B2:B721) — Calculates the mean value for all pollution measurements recorded in April.
Adjust the ending row number depending on your dataset.
5. CONDITIONAL FORMATTING
Excel:
– Select B2:B721 → Home → Conditional Formatting → New Rule.
– Rule 1: Value < average → Green
– Rule 2: Between average and 100 → Orange
– Rule 3: Value > 100 → Red
LibreOffice Calc:
– Select B2:B721 → Format → Conditional → Condition.
– Condition 1: Value < average → Green
– Condition 2: Between average and 100 → Orange
– Condition 3: Value > 100 → Red
File to download