3.1 Formula Basics and Operators
Every formula starts with =. Excel follows the usual maths order: brackets → ^ (power) → * / → + - → & (join text) → comparisons (=, <>, >, <, >=, <=).
| Formula | Result | Why |
|---|---|---|
=2+3*4 |
14 | Multiply first |
=(2+3)*4 |
20 | Brackets first |
=G2*(1-10%) |
57.6 | 10% discount on ₹64 |
=C2&" - "&D2 |
Pune - FreshGo | Join text |
=G3>G2 |
TRUE | Comparison |
About this data: Teaching sample for a fictional shop “Maple Bakery Co”. Figures and names (e.g. Neha Shah) are made up for this lesson on formula basics and operators.
A function is a ready-made formula: =FUNCTION(argument1, argument2, …). Arguments in square brackets in the syntax, like [range_lookup], are optional.
Steps in Excel
- Type
=SU– the AutoComplete list appears. Press Tab to acceptSUM(. - Press Ctrl + A after the function name to open the Function Arguments dialog (or click fx).
- Use Formulas › Function Library to browse functions by category.
- Formulas › Formula Auditing › Show Formulas (Ctrl + `) shows all formulas instead of results.
- Formulas › Formula Auditing › Evaluate Formula runs a formula step by step.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip
Many students forget brackets and write =G2*1-10% – then the discount comes out wrong. After writing a formula, check it once step by step with Evaluate Formula. When typing a percentage, write 10% or 0.1, but not 10.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – मराठी
बरेच students brackets विसरतात आणि =G2*1-10% लिहितात – मग discount चुकीचा येतो. Formula लिहिल्यावर एकदा Evaluate Formula ने step by step बघा. Percentage type करताना 10% लिहा किंवा 0.1, पण 10 नाही.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – हिंदी
बहुत से students brackets भूल जाते हैं और =G2*1-10% लिख देते हैं – फिर discount गलत आता है. Formula लिखने के बाद एक बार Evaluate Formula से step by step देखो. Percentage type करते समय 10% या 0.1 लिखो, पर 10 नहीं.
Practice task
For each order compute Amount after 5% discount and Amount per unit (=G2/F2). Use Evaluate Formula on one of them.
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- Price after 10% discount (Easy): Find the Amount of order QKT-1001 after a 10% discount.
- Price of one item (Easy): Find the price of one item in order QKT-1001. Divide its Amount by its Qty.
- Difference between two orders (Easy): How much more is the Amount of order QKT-1002 than the Amount of order QKT-1001?
- Hotel room bill (Easy): On the Hotel sheet, find the room bill of room 101. Multiply its Nights by its Rate (₹).
- Hotel bill with extras (Easy): On the Hotel sheet, find the full bill of room 101: Nights × Rate (₹) + Extras (₹).
- Join city and platform (Medium): Join the City and Platform of order QKT-1001 with " - " in between.
- Is order 2 bigger? (Medium): Is the Amount of order QKT-1002 greater than the Amount of order QKT-1001? The answer is TRUE or FALSE.
- GST on a room (Medium): On the Hotel sheet, find 18% GST on the room bill of room 201 (Nights × Rate (₹)).
- 5% discount with brackets (Hard): Find the Amount of order QKT-1007 after a 5% discount.
- Discount, then GST (Hard): On the Hotel sheet, room 202 gets 10% off its room bill (Nights × Rate (₹)). Then 18% GST is added. Find the final amount.
Quick revision cards
Three standalone cards. Each one explains the idea with its own example. Scan the QR to open this lesson.
