In the hospital charges dataset, take a column with a numeric variable (say, Average Medicare Payments). Using conditional formatting, attempt the following tasks:Fill the column in any one colour (red or green) so that the highest value has a darker shade of the colour and the lowest value has the lightest shade of the same colour. Fill the column in red and green so that the values above a certain number (say 5000) are highlighted in a gradient of red, and the ones below the number are highlighted in a gradient of green.Is it possible to do the second task? Mention the reason.

Sure, here are the steps to perform the tasks in Excel:

Task 1:

1. Open the hospital charges dataset in Excel.
2. Select the column with the numeric variable, say, "Average Medicare Payments".
3. Go to the "Home" tab, then in the "Styles" group, click "Conditional Formatting".
4. Hover over "Color Scales" and then click on the color gradient you want (for example, green or red).
5. The column will now be filled with a color gradient where the highest value has the darkest shade and the lowest value has the lightest shade.

Task 2:

1. Select the column "Average Medicare Payments".
2. Go to the "Home" tab, then in the "Styles" group, click "Conditional Formatting".
3. Click on "New Rule".
4. In the "New Formatting Rule" dialog box, select "Format all cells based on their values".
5. In the "Format Style" dropdown, select "2-Color Scale".
6. In the "Minimum" dropdown, select "Number" and enter the value 5000, then choose the color green.
7. In the "Maximum" dropdown, select "Number" and enter the highest value in the column, then choose the color red.
8. Click "OK". The column will now be filled with a gradient of red for values above 5000 and a gradient of green for values below 5000.

However, it's important to note that Excel's conditional formatting feature doesn't allow you to use two different color gradients for values above and below a certain number within the same column. You can only use one color gradient for the entire column. Therefore, the second task is not possible to achieve using Excel's conditional formatting. You would need to use a more advanced tool or software that allows for more complex conditional formatting.