BUILT IN FORMULAE OR PREDEFINED FORMULAE
Functions are partial formulae that are programmed into the computer for you to add the missing information. Once you enter the missing information into the the function, it becomes a complete formula. They are considered predefined or Built in because the structure of the formula has been determined and set before we even thought of writing the formula. (This is the complete opposite of a user defined formula which you will make up after you have decided that you need a formula)
The functions make it easier to carry out:
1 commonly performed tasks - such as adding
2 long or complex operations.
=SUM( ) is a function not a formula while =SUM(2,3) is a predefined formula that utilizes a function. In other words you use a function to make a formula
The structure of predefined formulae is = word that tells the software what operation to do (The source of the data that the operation should be performed on)
PLEASE NOTE:
~IF YOU RE ASKED TO CREATE A FORMULA UTILIZING A FUNCTION, THE FORMULA WILL HAVE SOME SORT OF WORD IN IT.
~IF YOU ARE ASKED TO CONSTRUCT YOUR OWN FORMULA USING ONLY MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS IT MEANS YOUR FORMULA WILL NOT CONTAIN ANY WORDS. INSTEAD IT WILL HAVE THE MATHEMATICAL OPERATORS SUCH AS + - / *
Functions that we use in grade 9
Summation: This formula is used for the addition of values on a spreadsheet =SUM(CELL RANGE)
Arithmetic mean this will calculate the sum of all the numbers and divide it by the number of numbers added =AVERAGE(CELL RANGE)
Identifying the highest value this formula will select the largest number in the defined range =MAX (CELL RANGE)
Identifying the lowest value this formula will select the smallest number in the defined range =MIN(CELL RANGE)
Generating random values of a set range This formula is used to make up some numbers within a specified range =RANDBETWEEN(lowest value, highest value)
Arithmetic mean this will calculate the sum of all the numbers and divide it by the number of numbers added =AVERAGE(CELL RANGE)
Identifying the highest value this formula will select the largest number in the defined range =MAX (CELL RANGE)
Identifying the lowest value this formula will select the smallest number in the defined range =MIN(CELL RANGE)
Generating random values of a set range This formula is used to make up some numbers within a specified range =RANDBETWEEN(lowest value, highest value)