Formula structure (=, cell references) in Excel - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

📊 Formula Result

intermediate

What is the result of this formula?

Given the following values in Excel:

A1 = 10
B1 = 5

What is the result in cell C1 if the formula =A1 + B1 * 2 is entered?

A 20

B 30

C 15

D 25

💡 Hint

Remember the order of operations: multiplication happens before addition.

The formula multiplies B1 (5) by 2 first, giving 10, then adds A1 (10), resulting in 10 + 10 = 20. Option A.

❓ Function Choice

intermediate

Which formula correctly adds values from cells A1 and B1?

You want to add the values in cells A1 and B1 in Excel. Which formula will do this correctly?

A =SUM(A1 B1)

B A1 + B1

C =A1 + B1

D =ADD(A1,B1)

💡 Hint

Formulas in Excel must start with an equal sign and use correct syntax.

Option C is correct because formulas must start with '=' and use '+' to add. Option C lacks '=' so Excel treats it as text. Option C is missing a comma between A1 and B1. Option C uses a non-existent function ADD.

🎯 Scenario

advanced

Fix the formula to correctly multiply cell A2 by 3

You entered A2 *3 in cell B2 but it shows an error. Which corrected formula will work?

A =A2*3

B =A2 * 3

C =A2 *3

D A2 * 3

💡 Hint

Check for spaces and the equal sign at the start.

The original lacked the '=' so treated as text. Option A (=A2*3) is correct and standard with no spaces. A and C also work with spaces (allowed in Excel). D lacks '='.

📊 Formula Result

advanced

What is the output of this formula with mixed references?

Given:
A1 = 4
B1 = 6

What is the result of the formula =A1 + $B$1 when copied from C1 to C2?

A 10 in both C1 and C2

B 10 in C1 and 6 in C2

C 4 in C1 and 6 in C2

D 10 in C1 and 16 in C2

💡 Hint

Remember $ locks the cell reference when copying formulas.

A1 is relative and changes when copied down, so in C2 it becomes A2 (empty or zero). $B$1 is absolute and stays B1 (6). So in C1: 4 + 6 = 10. In C2: 0 + 6 = 6. Option B.

❓ data_analysis

expert

How many cells contain formulas after copying?

You have a formula =SUM(A1:A3) in cell B1.
You copy this formula down to B3.

How many cells in B1:B3 contain formulas that sum exactly three cells?

A 1

B 2

C 0

D 3

💡 Hint

Check how the range changes when copying formulas down.

In B1: =SUM(A1:A3) (3 cells).
In B2: =SUM(A2:A4) (3 cells).
In B3: =SUM(A3:A5) (3 cells).
All 3 sum exactly three cells. Option D.