GoalWrite simple formulas with cell names and the signs + − * /, and understand sorting.
New words
cell · one box in a spreadsheet, named by its column letter and row numberformula · a calculation that starts with = and uses cell namessort · to put records in order, such as smallest to largesttotal · the answer you get when you add numbers
Explanation
This is a quick revision of what you learned in Primary 5. A cell is named by its column letter and its row number: the box where column B meets row 2 is B2. A formula starts with the equals sign =. After it you write a calculation with cell names and the signs + for add, − for subtract, * for multiply and / for divide. For example, if B2 holds 6 and C2 holds 12, the formula =B2*C2 gives 72. A formula uses the numbers in the cells, so if you change a number, the answer changes by itself. Text can go into cells too, for example item names. Sorting puts the records in order, for example from the smallest number to the largest, and each row moves together so records stay whole. A date can be shown in different ways, such as day first or month first, and the program can change how it looks. Steps differ in each program; ask your teacher.
D2fx=B2*C2
A
B
C
D
1
Item
Boxes
Pieces in a box
Pieces in all
2
Pencils
6
12
72
3
Erasers
4
10
40
4
Rulers
6
6
36
Worked examples
D2fx=B2*C2
A
B
C
D
1
Item
Boxes
Pieces in a box
Pieces in all
2
Pencils
6
12
72
3
Erasers
4
10
40
4
Rulers
6
6
36
Multiply. In the store-room list, D2 shows the pieces of pencils: 6 boxes with 12 pencils each. The formula =B2*C2 means 6 × 12 = 72.
D5fx=D2+D3+D4
A
B
C
D
1
Item
Boxes
Pieces in a box
Pieces in all
2
Pencils
6
12
72
3
Erasers
4
10
40
4
Rulers
6
6
36
5
All items
148
Add, subtract, divide. A new row adds all pieces: =D2+D3+D4 = 72 + 40 + 36 = 148. If the 36 rulers are given away, =D5-D4 = 148 − 36 = 112 pieces are left. Shared equally among 4 classes, =D5/4 = 148 ÷ 4 = 37 pieces each.
A
B
C
D
1
Item
Boxes
Pieces in a box
Pieces in all
2
Rulers
6
6
36
3
Erasers
4
10
40
4
Pencils
6
12
72
Sorting. The rows are sorted from the smallest to the largest ‘Pieces in all’: Rulers 36, Erasers 40, Pencils 72. Each row moved as a whole.
Class activity
Formula practice. Draw a small grid on squared paper. Write numbers in B2 and C2 (for example 5 and 9). Write the formula in D2 that multiplies them and work out the answer by hand. Then change B2 and see how the answer changes. Make a second row with different numbers and write a formula in D4 that adds D2 and D3. Use only invented items such as boxes of chalk.
Practice
1
What sign must every formula start with?
The equals sign =
2
B2 holds 5 and C2 holds 8. What does =B2*C2 give?
40
3
D2 holds 72, D3 holds 40 and D4 holds 36. What does =D2+D3+D4 give?
