2.

1 BASIC MATHEMATICAL FUNCTIONS

SUM()

A function that returns the sum of included cells, SUM() Function is a more convenient way off adding items instead of using
the “+” mathematical command.

So instead of

Just do this

The colon (:) in between B2 and B7 indicates that cells values from B2 to B7 are the ones included in this operation, no skips. If
it is wished to exclude the areas of the restrooms,
The comma sign (,) indicates that a value from a cell not adjacent to the previous group of cells is included. It also signals the
start of a new Argument. An Argument is an specific input to a function. These arguments are defined by a comma separator.
In the example above, there are two arguments; B2:B4 and B7. The SUM() Function can process up to 255 individual
arguments.

PRODUCT()

The PRODUCT() Function returns the product of selected cells and is more time saving to type than using the “*” command.

NOTE: In Excel, the symbol for the Multiplication Operation is “*” and not “( )”.

Again, instead of this

Use the PRODUCT() Function and do this

The PRODUCT() Function can also handle up to 255 individual arguments.

AVERAGE()

The AVERAGE() Function returns the average value of all included items in the operation.
For some, they will use the SUM() Function for the numerator and then divide it by the number of terms n using the Division
Sign for Excel “/” to solve for the average.
But in using the AVERAGE() Function, it can be written in this manner with the same result.

Like the SUM() and PRODUCT() Functions, the AVERAGE() Function can also handle up to 255 individual arguments.

2.2 ROUNDING FUNCTIONS

Rounding values is important especially when whole number quantities is required for the estimate. In
this section, we will discuss five frequently used functions for rounding number in Excel.

ROUNDUP()

As the function implies, this is used to roundup values in a specific decimal place. This function is composed of two arguments;
  number - which is the value to be rounded up, and
 num_digits – the number of decimal places wanted to be rounded up to

To roundup number in a specific number decimal place to the right of the decimal point, the second argument num_digits must
be positive. The value of num_digits for these case are as follows, together with their respective decimal places.

Below is an example of how this works.

On the otherhand, to roundup numbers to the left of the decimal, the table below will apply.

For instance, to roundup PhP 12,375.00 to different place values using the num_digits values above.

ROUNDDOWN()
The reverse of the ROUNDUP() Function, it rounded down value into a specified decimal place. It has a similar syntax as that of
the ROUNDUP() Function, also with two arguments.

 number - which is the value to be rounded down, and

 num_digits – the number of decimal places wanted to be rounded down to

The decimal place designation for both number to the left and to the right of the decimal place is the same as of the
ROUNDUP() function.

Using the previous examples,

ROUND()

Unlike the previous two functions, the ROUND() Function round value using the basic rounding principle. However,
like ROUNDUP() and ROUNDDOWN(), ROUND() has the same syntax and num_digit value designations.

 number - which is the value to be rounded, and

 num_digits – the number of decimal places wanted to be rounded to

CEILING()

Like the ROUNDUP() Function, it rounds up values, but unlike the previous which rounds up values in a specified
decimal place, CEILING() rounds up values to a nearest a multiple of a number. It has two arguments.
  number - which is the value to be rounded up, and
 significance – the multiple to be used in rounding up the number

FLOOR()

The counterpart of ROUNDDOWN() and the reverse of CEILING(), FLOOR() Function rounds down a value to the
nearest multiple of a number. It also has two arguments.

 number - which is the value to be rounded down, and

 significance – the multiple to be used in rounding down the number
2.3 IF() FUNCTION

The IF() Function runs a logical test and returns one value depending on the result of the said logical
test. It has three arguments.

 logical_test – the condition to be tested

 [value_if_true] – the value to return if the value in the cell meets the condition, and
 [value_if_false] – the value to return if the value in the cell does not meet the condition

Logical Comparisons

For example, a given table needs to indicate the Grade of a deformed steel reinforcement depending on the
diameter of the bars. The logical test is that if the bar diameter is less than or equal to 12mm, then the label must
be “GRADE 40” else, it must return a value of “GRADE 60”. The syntax for this one is shown below, together with
the values tested (cells on Column A).
NESTED IF STATEMENTS

A Nested If is a variation of the IF() function, this time containing more than logical test and more than three
arguments.

Again, using reinforcement bars for example. It is wished to determine the weight of reinforcement bars and the
weight of bar to be multiplied on the Commercial Length on Column B depends on the Bar Diameter in Column A.
To do this, the Nested If syntax to be used must be:

2.4 NUMBER FORMATTING

There are 11 Number Formats used in Excel, but for Construction Estimate purposes, we will only use 7,
namely;

1. General - The default number format that Excel applies when you type a number. For the most
part, numbers that are formatted with the General format are displayed just the way it is typed.
2. Number – Used for the general display of numbers. The number of decimal places to be used
can be specified, whether with a use of a thousands separator, and or whether a negative
number is required.
3. Currency – Used for general monetary values, the number is displayed with a currency symbol
(the default is in USD). The currency sign is changeable in the Custom Option.
4. Accounting – Another number format for monetary values, it aligns the currency symbols and
decimal values in a column.
5. Date – This format displays the date and time serial numbers as date values. Date format is
editable in the Custom Option.
6. Time – Similar to the Date Format.
7. Percentage – This format display the numbers in percentage form. Decimal values converted
into Percentage format will be automatically multiplied by 100 with a percent symbol.
To change the number format, just go to the Home tab, search for the Number ribbon and on the
Number Format drop down box, choose the number format you want.

For user defined number format, do the previous procedure and select More Number Formats. A dialog
box will then appear and choose the number formatting that you wanted. After it, select OK.
Number Formats is also changeable using the shortcut keys listed below.