Theory question 101
SpreadsheetPaper 2, Section A: Short-structured questions (answer three)
(a) What is a function in MS Excel?
(b) List two categories of functions in MS Excel.
(c) What is cell referencing in MS Excel?
(d) (i) State two types of cell referencing in MS Excel. (ii) Give one example of each type in 1 (d) (i).
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(a) A function is a built-in (predefined) formula that performs a calculation on given values (arguments), e.g. SUM, AVERAGE.
(b) Any two: mathematical and trigonometric; statistical; financial; logical; text; date and time; lookup and reference; database.
(c) Cell referencing is identifying a cell (or range) by its column letter and row number, e.g. B3, so a formula can use its value.
(d)(i) Any two: relative; absolute; mixed.
(ii) Relative – =A3*C3 (changes when copied); absolute – =$A$3*$C$3 (does not change); mixed – =$A3*B$2 (only one part fixed).
The $ sign fixes the column or row in a reference.