Arithmetic operators in formulas in Excel - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

📊 Formula Result

intermediate

Calculate the result of a mixed arithmetic formula

What is the value in cell A1 if the formula =5 + 3 * 2 - 4 / 2 is entered?

A 11

B 10

C 9

D 8

💡 Hint

Remember the order of operations: multiplication and division happen before addition and subtraction.

The formula calculates as 5 + (3 * 2) - (4 / 2) = 5 + 6 - 2 = 9.

❓ Function Choice

intermediate

Choose the correct formula to calculate total cost

You have quantity in cell B2 and price per item in C2. Which formula correctly calculates total cost with a 10% tax added?

A =B2 * C2 * 1.10

B =B2 * C2 + 10%

C =B2 + C2 * 1.10

D =B2 * (C2 + 10%)

💡 Hint

Tax is 10% of the total price, so multiply total by 1.10.

Option A multiplies quantity by price, then adds 10% tax by multiplying by 1.10.

📊 Formula Result

advanced

Evaluate a formula with parentheses and mixed operators

What is the result of the formula = (8 + 2) * (5 - 3) / 2?

A 20

B 10

C 5

D 15

💡 Hint

Calculate inside parentheses first, then multiply and divide from left to right.

(8 + 2) = 10, (5 - 3) = 2, so formula is 10 * 2 / 2 = 20 / 2 = 10.

🎯 Scenario

advanced

Fix the formula to correctly calculate average cost per item

You want to calculate average cost per item. You have total cost in A1 and number of items in B1. Which formula correctly calculates average cost?

A =A1 + B1

B =B1 / A1

C =A1 * B1

D =A1 / B1

💡 Hint

Average cost is total cost divided by number of items.

Option D divides total cost by number of items, giving average cost per item.

❓ data_analysis

expert

Determine the number of items with positive profit

Column A has costs, column B has revenues. Which formula counts how many items have revenue greater than cost?

A =SUMPRODUCT(--(B1:B10 > A1:A10))

B =COUNTIF(B:B, ">" & A:A)

C =COUNTIF(A:A, ">" & B:B)

D =SUM(B1:B10 > A1:A10)

💡 Hint

Use SUMPRODUCT with a logical test to compare arrays element-wise.

Option A correctly counts how many rows have revenue greater than cost by comparing arrays element-wise.