We’ll use the same range of numbers (2, 3, 5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 9, 16, and 19) again, entered in cells from A1 through A10. Excel has different mode functions available, depending on which version of Excel you have.  For Excel 2007 and earlier, there is a single MODE function. This function will find a single mode in a sample range of numbers. For Excel 2010 and later, you can use either the MODE function, which works the same as in earlier versions of Excel, or the MODE.SNGL function, which uses a supposedly more accurate algorithm to find the mode. (Another mode function, MODE.MULT returns multiple values if it finds multiple modes in a sample, but it is intended for use with arrays of numbers instead of a single list of values.) As with the AVERAGE and MEDIAN functions, there are three ways to do this:  Click on an empty cell, such as A14 then type “=MODE(A1:10)” (again, without the quotation marks) directly in the cell. (If you wish to use the MODE.SNGL function, type “MODE.SNGL” in place of “MODE” in the equation.) Click on an empty cell, then click on the “fx” symbol in the function bar above the worksheet. Select “MODE” or “MODE.SNGL,” from the “Select a function:” list in the Insert Function dialog and click OK. Enter the range “A1:A10” in the Number 1 field of the Function Arguments dialog and click OK. Enter an equals sign (=) in the function bar to the right of the function symbol. Select the MODE or MODE.SNGL function from the Name box dropdown list to the left of the function symbol. Enter the range “A1:A10” in the Number 1 field of the Function Arguments dialog and click OK. The mode is the value that occurs most often in the sample range. In the case of our sample range, the mode is 7, as 7 occurs three times in the list. If two numbers appear in the list the same number of times, the MODE or MODE.SNGL function will report the value that it encounters first. If you change the “3” in the sample list to a “5,” the mode will change from 7 to 5, because the 5 is encountered first. If, however, you change the list to have three 7s before three 5s, the mode will again be 7.

Summary: Enter the numbers you want to find the mode for. Find the mode value for the numbers you entered. Enter the mode function you’ve chosen. Observe the result in the cell you entered the function in.


The impact of exercise is tricky. Engage in moderate-high intensity exercise and your body will suppress appetite because it will use your stored fat as an energy source while low-intensity exercise, like walking, swimming,  and jogging, will increase hunger.  Studies have found that the neuronal response to food significantly decreased with moderate to high-intensity workouts. Exercise also reduces the incentive motivation in the brain responsible for the anticipation of food. This effect reduces hunger and keeps you healthy and reduces stress. There are numerous studies on sleep and sleep deprivation and its impact on the body. In general, a lack of sleep has a negative impact on the body and increases hunger hormones that make us crave for snacking throughout the day.   Studies show that bodies lacking sleep are bodies that crave more carbohydrates throughout the day. Scientists believe this is due to the body's natural craving for carbohydrates to increase energy levels. Sleeping is intimately related to feeding. A lack of sleep for prolonged periods of time increases the intake of food dramatically. Leptin, a hormone released by fat cells that suppresses appetite, highly depends on the length of sleep. A lack of sleep, therefore, dramatically impacts the influence of hunger. Yoga can reduce your appetite. The intimacy of performing yoga makes you more aware of your body and, therefore, more sensitivity to feeling satisfied and less likely to snack on junk food.  Yoga performed at least one hour per week has shown to reduce appetite. Because yoga reduces stress, it suppresses a hormone called cortisol, which is associated with binge eating. Mindful eating, the step-by-step thought process to eating, is also a part of yoga. This process helps you to stop eating when you are full. Eating because you’re bored is a learned habit, but distinguishing between true hunger and emotional hunger is difficult for many people.  Real physical hunger comes about gradually and can be easily satisfied with most foods. You will naturally stop eating when you are full and you will not feel guilty. Conversely, eating because of boredom causes cravings for particular foods, comes about quickly and causes you to overeat. You will probably feel guilty after you are finished eating. Write down the foods that you eat throughout the day in a journal. Keep track of your feelings before and after you eat. If you find you are eating unhealthy food frequently between meals or late at night and feel guilty consider doing a different activity during these time periods like taking a walk, reading a book, or playing with your pet. If you find the urge too strong then concentrate on eating healthy snacks like fruit, vegetables, or nuts.

Summary: Exercise regularly. Get some sleep. Perform yoga. Control emotional hunger.


If you're staining a dark piece of wood a lighter color or you need to take off a lacquered top coat, sanding may be a good option. Sanding is the quickest way to take existing stain off of a piece of wood, especially if you're working with a small piece of wood or a large, flat surface with no detail. Sanding is also a good choice if you don't want to work with chemicals. Start with a rough piece of sandpaper, like a P80 grade, for the first pass over the wood, then go over the area with a medium-grit, such as a P150. If you need to, you can finish with a fine grit, like P220. Graduating to a finer sandpaper will help keep you from scuffing the surface of the wood too much. Whether you're using an electric sander, a sanding block, or just a piece of sandpaper, hold the sandpaper so it's flat against the surface of your wood as you're working. This will create an even finish. Otherwise, you could sand unevenly, wearing into the wood and creating a light spot that will show through the stain. Although you won't be working with dangerous fumes while you're sanding, you will be putting a lot of small particles into the air, and those can irritate your lungs if you breathe them in. A dust mask will help protect your airways while you're working. You can usually find dust masks wherever home improvement supplies are sold. After you're finished sanding, you'll want to make sure you don't leave any dust or residue on the surface of the wood. Otherwise, it will get caught in the stain and cause a gritty finish.
Summary: Sand the wood if you are only working with a small piece. Work from a rough grit to a fine grit. Keep the sandpaper or sander flat as you work. Wear a dust mask while you're sanding. Wipe down the surface of the wood with a wet cloth to remove any dust.