Chapter 2

Spreadsheet: Functions and Charts

Explain the following functions
Question 1

SUM ( )

Answer

This function calculates the total of all the values of the specified cells and returns the
result to the cell where the cell pointer is located.

Its syntax is:

=SUM(number1, number2, .......) where argument type is Number and return type is
Number.

To find the sum of the cell values ranging from A1, A2, A3, ........ to An, the function will be
written as:

=SUM(A1, A2, A3, ......., An)

OR

=SUM(A1:An)

Question 2

AVERAGE ( )

Answer

This function takes all the values of the specified cells and returns the average of the cell
values in the active cell.

Its syntax is:

=AVERAGE(number1, number2, .......) where argument type is Number and return type is
Number.
To find the average of the cell values ranging from A1, A2, A3, ........ to An, the function will
be written as:

=AVERAGE(A1, A2, A3, ......., An)

OR

=AVERAGE(A1:An)

Question 3

MAX ( )

Answer

This function returns the highest value from among the specified cells in the active cell.

Its syntax is:

=MAX(number1, number2, .......) where argument type is Number and return type is
Number.

To know the highest of the cell values ranging from A1, A2, A3, ........ to An, the function
will be written as:

=MAX(A1, A2, A3, ......., An)

OR

=MAX(A1:An)

Question 4

MIN ( )

Answer

This function returns the lowest value from among the specified cells in the active cell.

Its syntax is:

=MIN(number1, number2, .......) where argument type is Number and return type is
Number.
To know the lowest of the cell values ranging from A1, A2, A3, ........ to An, the function will
be written as:

=MIN(A1, A2, A3, ......., An)

OR

=MIN(A1:An)

Short Answer Questions

Question 1

What are the points to be taken care of while writing the format of a function in MS Excel?

Answer

The following points must be taken care of while writing the format of a function in MS
Excel:

Each function must begin with an 'equal to' (=) sign.

Parenthesis is used to indicate the opening and closing of a function.

Arguments are written within the parenthesis.

Commas are used to separate the arguments.

Question 2

What is meant by cell reference?

Answer

The cell address that we use in the formula is known as the cell reference. The address of
the cell consists of the column letter followed by the row number. For example, cell address
A1 denotes the column name as A and the row number as 1.

Question 3

Define Sheet Tab.

Answer
The current worksheet that is displayed on the screen is called the 'Sheet Tab'.

Question 4

Explain the term 'Range of Cells' in a spreadsheet.

Answer

A range of cells is a group of cells that have been selected/highlighted and which form a
shape of a rectangular box. A range is specified by giving the addresses of the first cell in
the range and the last cell in the range.