Session 3: Simple Formulas and Functions
Objective: Introduce students to creating and using basic formulas and
functions in Excel, covering arithmetic operations and essential functions.
Duration: 1 hour
1. Review of Session 2 (5 minutes)
- Quick recap of key points from the previous session.
- Answer any lingering questions.
2. Introduction to Formulas (10 minutes)
- What is a Formula?:
- Explanation of formulas as expressions that perform calculations on
data.
- Example: Basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division).
- Creating a Formula:
- How to start a formula with the equals sign (=).
- Entering cell references and operators.
- Order of Operations:
- Explanation of the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS).
3. Basic Arithmetic Operations (15 minutes)
- Addition (+):
- Example: `=A1 + B1`
- Demonstration: Summing two cells.
- Subtraction (-):
- Example: `=A1 - B1`
- Demonstration: Subtracting one cell from another.
- Multiplication (*):
- Example: `=A1 * B1`
- Demonstration: Multiplying two cells.
- Division (/):
- Example: `=A1 / B1`
- Demonstration: Dividing one cell by another.
4. Using the AutoSum Feature (10 minutes)
- Introduction to AutoSum:
- Explanation of the AutoSum button in the Ribbon (Home tab).
- Sum Function:
- Example: `=SUM(A1:A10)`
- Demonstration: Summing a range of cells.
- AutoSum Shortcut:
- Using the AutoSum button to quickly insert the SUM function.
- Demonstration: Selecting a range and applying AutoSum.
5. Introduction to Basic Functions (15 minutes)
- What is a Function?:
- Explanation of functions as predefined formulas.
- Common Functions:
- AVERAGE: Calculates the average of a range of cells.
- Example: `=AVERAGE(A1:A10)`
- Demonstration: Finding the average of a set of numbers.
- MIN: Finds the minimum value in a range.
- Example: `=MIN(A1:A10)`
- Demonstration: Finding the smallest number in a range.
- MAX: Finds the maximum value in a range.
- Example: `=MAX(A1:A10)`
- Demonstration: Finding the largest number in a range.
- COUNT: Counts the number of numeric entries in a range.
- Example: `=COUNT(A1:A10)`
- Demonstration: Counting the numbers in a range.
6. Hands-on Practice (10 minutes)
- Create a new workbook and enter sample data (e.g., sales figures, test
scores).
- Perform basic arithmetic operations on the data.
- Use the AutoSum feature to sum a column of numbers.
- Apply the AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, and COUNT functions to a range of data.
7. Detailed Steps and Demonstrations:
1. Creating a Formula:
1. Select the cell where you want the result to appear.
2. Type the equals sign (=) to start the formula.
3. Enter the cell references and arithmetic operators.
4. Press Enter to complete the formula.
- **Example**:
- To add the values in cells A1 and B1: `=A1 + B1`.
2. Basic Arithmetic Operations:
- Addition:
- Select the result cell, type `=A1 + B1`, and press Enter.
- Subtraction:
- Select the result cell, type `=A1 - B1`, and press Enter.
- Multiplication:
- Select the result cell, type `=A1 * B1`, and press Enter.
- Division:
- Select the result cell, type `=A1 / B1`, and press Enter.
3. Using the AutoSum Feature:
1. Select the cell where you want the sum to appear.
2. Click the AutoSum button in the Home tab.
3. Excel will automatically select the range to sum. Adjust the range if
necessary.
4. Press Enter to complete the function.
- Example:
- To sum the values in cells A1 to A10: `=SUM(A1:A10)`.
4. Common Functions:
- AVERAGE: - Select the result cell, type `=AVERAGE(A1:A10)`, and
press Enter.
- MIN: - Select the result cell, type `=MIN(A1:A10)`, and press Enter.
- MAX: - Select the result cell, type `=MAX(A1:A10)`, and press Enter.
- COUNT: - Select the result cell, type `=COUNT(A1:A10)`, and press
Enter.
5. Hands-on Practice:
- Enter sample data:
A1: Item
A2: Apple
A3: Banana
A4: Cherry
B1: Quantity
B2: 10
B3: 15
B4: 7
- Perform arithmetic operations:
- `=B2 + B3`
- `=B3 - B4`
- `=B2 * B3`
- `=B3 / B4`
- Use AutoSum for column B:
- `=SUM(B2:B4)`
- Apply functions:
- `=AVERAGE(B2:B4)`
- `=MIN(B2:B4)`
- `=MAX(B2:B4)`
- `=COUNT(B2:B4)`
