Final answer:
To sort and highlight customer orders larger than the average for a quarterly presentation, calculate the average order amount, order the data from largest to smallest, and highlight the orders that exceed the average. Consider using a best-first-order approach to emphasize important data.
Step-by-step explanation:
To sort customer orders for the quarter from largest to smallest and highlight orders larger than the average, you first need to calculate the average order amount. Then, list the orders in descending order and compare each order to the average. Orders above the average should be highlighted.
Let's take an example with the given data from Solution 2.15. We order the data from smallest to largest: 114,950; 158,000; 230,500; 387,000; 389,950; 479,000; 488,800; 529,000; 575,000; 639,000; 659,000; 1,095,000; 5,500,000. To find the average, you would sum all these values and then divide by the number of orders, which in this case is 13. Once you have the average, you re-order the list from largest to smallest and highlight any value that is greater than the average.
The task of organizing the data logically and highlighting the significant figures helps ensure the presentation conveys the most important information effectively. This strategy of using the best-first order can apply not only to customer orders but also to organizing content in a presentation or written work.