Page 3 - Learning Computers and Technology

07-MA-Spreadsheet 5/4/07 9:02 AM Page 243

Learning Computers and Technology | Spreadsheets: Mathematics | Activity 1

■ A formula can also contain a predefined formula, Create a Series
known as a function.
■ The following are standard mathematical operators ■ A series is a sequence of numbers (such as 1, 2,
used in formulas: 3), dates (such as 10/21/07, 10/22/07, 10/23/07),
times (such as 2:30, 2:45, 3:00), or text (such as
+ Addition
January, February, March).
- Subtraction
■ To enter a series based on the active cell, drag the
* Multiplication fill handle, a small square in the lower-right corner
/ Division of the active cell. The mouse pointer changes to
^ Exponentiation as you drag over the range of cells you want to fill
with the series.
■ The equal sign (=) must be typed at the beginning
of a formula. For example, the formula =B2+B4+B6 ✓ For example, type January into a cell, then drag the fill
adds the values in those three cell locations handle down or to the left to create the series January,
together. February, March, and so on.
■ When you make a change to a value in a cell that is
referenced in a formula, the answer in the formula Drag the fill handle of the active
cell automatically changes. cell to create a series
■ The order of mathematical operations is impor-
tant to remember when creating formulas.
● When calculating a formula, Excel performs
operations enclosed in parentheses first.
● Exponential calculations have the next priority.
● Moving left to right within the formula, multiplica- ■ To create an incremental series (i.e., 1, 3, 5, 7),
tion and division operations are then calculated enter the data for the first and second cells of a
before the addition and subtraction operations. series, select the two cells, then drag the fill handle
for the selection over the range of cells to fill.
✓ Keeping the order of mathematical operations in mind,
■ You can also use the fill handle to copy formatting
the easiest way to control which parts of a complex for-
(such as bold, italics, and so on) from one cell to
mula is calculated first is to simply use parentheses.
adjacent cells, and not its value.
■ When typing a percentage as a value in a formula,
■ In addition, you can use the fill handle to copy both
you can enter it with the percent symbol or as a
the cell’s value and its formatting.
decimal.
■ Excel automatically provides assistance in correct- Change Column Width
ing common mistakes in a formula (for example,
omitting a parenthesis).
■ The default Excel workbook is set for a standard
column width.
■ You can quickly adjust a column to fit the longest
entry in that column, or you can set the column to
any width you like.
■ Changing column width changes the width of an
entire column or a group of columns—not the width
of a single cell.

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