Q3M1Equations and Formulas in Excel

Equations and Formulas in Excel
We have come a long way from Charles Babbage’s dream of calculating numbers using technology.
Nowadays, even our mobile phones and palmtops are equipped with calculating options in order to
perform even simple arithmetic. But computers are a different matter altogether. Aside from simple
arithmetic functions, computer programs such as Microsoft Excel can help you calculate large sums
and predict the results of certain occasions, such as your grades, using present information. In this
lesson, you will learn how to calculate numbers using Microsoft Excel.
Do you recognize this image?
In our last lesson, you were asked to encode and format data in Microsoft Excel. Using the data you
encoded, we will compute the grades of students using the same worksheet that you completed in
the previous lesson. But first, you need to insert new columns.
Inserting and Deleting Columns and Rows

Inserting Columns/Rows
1. Click the column/row heading where you wish to insert the new column/row. Note that the new row
will be placed above the row you selected while the new column will be placed on the left of the
column you selected.
2. Under the Home tab, in the Cells group, click the (Insert) button and choose Insert Sheet Rows or
Insert Sheet Columns.
Try inserting these four columns: J, K, N, and Q.
Deleting Columns/Rows
In case you added more columns or rows than what was required, you can delete them. Follow these
steps:
1. Select the columns/rows to be deleted by clicking their headings.
2. Under the Home tab, in the Cells group, click the # (Delete) button. Or right-click the selected
columns/rows and select Delete.
Mathematical Computations Using Microsoft Excel

Computing, Creating Formulas and Using Functions
Computations in Microsoft Excel start with an equal (=) sign. You can use built-in functions in
Microsoft Excel, create formulas that include cell references or make simple calculations with actual
values using the different operators in Microsoft Excel.
The rule of precedence holds: exponentiation occurs before multiplication or division in a formula,
and multiplication or division occurs before addition or subtraction. Parentheses can be used to
enclose mathematical operations that are part of a long formula. Operations included in parentheses
are evaluated first, from the innermost operations inside the parentheses going outward. To better
remember the order of precedence, take note of this mnemonic device:
“Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally.” Simply put, it gives the order of precedence—
parentheses, exponent, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. If a formula includes
mathematical operators that are on the same level, the calculations are evaluated from left to right.
Let’s try computing the sum of two seatworks. First, go to the cell where you want to place the result.
In our example, the active cell is N4. Type the formula. You can also type in the formula bar. As
always, start with the equal sign and write the cell reference or value then the operator followed by
another cell reference or value. You might need to use more complicated formulas. To simplify, use
cell references instead of variables.
Let’s try this formula:
A12 x A23+3
_______________
A3 - 17
When translated into a valid Excel formula, the equation becomes:
=(A1^2 * A2^3+3)/(A3-17)
The concatenation (&) operator is used for joining two strings together. Relational operators such
as equal to, greater than, and less than are used in comparing numbers.
Using Functions
Microsoft Excel has many built-in functions that will allow you to perform mathematical operations on
cells of your choice. There are several ways to use a function in Microsoft Excel. One way is to type
the function name and its arguments, usually a range of cells, directly in the formula bar.
This is a range of cells.
A way to declare a range of cells is to indicate the beginning cell and last cell separated by a colon (:).
In our example, the reference C4:I4 includes all the cells from C4 to I4. Another way is to indicate the
cells one by one and separate them with commas. For example, =SUM(A1,A4,A5). The latter
declaration is used when the cells are not in succession.
You can also mix functions and operators in one formula.
Another way of employing Excel’s functions is to use the AutoSum feature found under the Formulas
tab, in the Function Library. One of its functions is to get the sum of the values in a range of cells. Try
getting the sum of all quizzes by selecting the cells that are to be added and then clicking . You can
see the sum in the rightmost active cell if you are adding values in a row, while the bottommost cell
holds the result for adding values in a column.
If you click the arrow below AutoSum, a drop-down list will appear to show common functions used in
Excel:
• =SUM(range) – used to compute the total of all items in the specified range.
• =AVERAGE(range) – used to get the average of the items in a range.
• =COUNT(range) – used to count the values found in the range.
• =MAX(range) – used to get the largest value within the range.
• =MIN(range) – used to get the smallest value within the range.
Copying Formulas
Once you have made the formula for a set of data, it is easy to apply the formula to other cells if you
used cell references. Just select the initial formula, then point at the small square at the lower right of
the active cell and wait until the mouse pointer becomes a cross-hair (+). Drag the mouse to copy the
formula, much like in creating a series of numbers in the previous lesson. This time you are making a
series of formulas.
Notice that the next cells have copied the formula. Moreover, it has made adjustments to the cell
references. The adjustments made will depend on the type of cell reference used in the initial formula.
If the cell reference is relative, as you copy the formula, the cell reference will change according to the
position of the cell. In our example, J4 is a relative cell reference so when we copied the formula, it
changed to J5, J6, J7, and so on.
On the other hand, an absolute cell reference will not change as you copy the formula. To declare a
cell reference to be absolute, place a dollar sign before the column and row name (e.g., $J$3). Cell
references can also be mixed (e.g., $T4, T$5).
Sorting and Filtering Data

Sorting Data
1. Under the Data tab, in the Sort & Filter group, click.
2. Under Column, beside Sort By, click the drop-down arrow to select your primary sorting column.
3. If desired, select more sorting columns by clicking the Add Level button.
4. Under Sort On and Order, select the manner in which you want to sort data. Click OK.
Note
Only selected data will be sorted.
Filtering Data
Charts in Microsoft Excel

Creating a Chart
1. Select the data you will need for the chart.
2. Click the Insert tab and find the Charts group. Click the dialog box launcher.
3. Select the Chart type and Chart sub-type desired.
4. You can reselect the range of cells for your chart by clicking . You can also change the
orientation of the chart by toggling .

5. Under the Design tab, in the Chart Layouts group, there are options like adding labels to your chart.
Just click the appropriate button to access the options.
6. The last step will ask you whether you wish to place the chart in a new worksheet along with the
option of giving the name of the new worksheet, or as an object in an existing worksheet which you
can select from a drop-down list.
Under the Design tab, in the Location group, click .
Editing Charts
1. Right-click the area of the chart you wish to edit. A shortcut menu will appear. Select the option you
wish to edit.
2. A dialog box will appear. Format as desired and click Close.
Previewing and Printing Worksheets
Previewing Your Worksheet
Click the File tab and click Print.
Printing Your Worksheet
1. Click the File tab, then click Print.
2. Change any desired specifications.
3. Click the (Print) button.

Q3M1Equations and Formulas in Excel

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Q3M1Equations and Formulas in Excel

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Q3M1Equations and Formulas in Excel

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Equations and Formulas in Excel

Inserting and Deleting Columns and Rows

Mathematical Computations Using Microsoft Excel

Sorting and Filtering Data

Charts in Microsoft Excel

orientation of the chart by toggling .

Under the Design tab, in the Location group, click .

3. Click the (Print) button.

You might also like