SEQUENCE function in Excel - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the formula to create a sequence of 5 numbers starting from 1.

Excel

=SEQUENCE([1])

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A10

B5

C1

D0

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 1 creates only one number, not a sequence.

Using 0 or negative numbers causes errors.

The SEQUENCE function with one argument creates a vertical array from 1 to that number. Here, 5 creates numbers 1 to 5.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the formula to create a sequence with 3 rows and 4 columns.

Excel

=SEQUENCE([1], 4)

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A3

B4

C5

D1

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Swapping rows and columns arguments.

Using the wrong number for rows.

The first argument is the number of rows. Here, 3 rows and 4 columns create a 3x4 grid of numbers.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the formula to start the sequence at 10 with 5 numbers.

Excel

=SEQUENCE(5, 1, [1])

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A1

B0

C10

D5

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Leaving the start number as 1.

Using 0 or 5 which start the sequence at wrong numbers.

The third argument is the start number. To start at 10, put 10 there.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a 2-row, 3-column sequence starting at 5 and increasing by 2.

Excel

=SEQUENCE([1], [2], 5, 2)

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A2

B3

C4

D5

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Swapping rows and columns.

Using wrong numbers for rows or columns.

The first blank is rows (2), the second is columns (3). The sequence starts at 5 and increases by 2 each step.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a 4-row, 2-column sequence starting at 3 and decreasing by 1.

Excel

=SEQUENCE([1], [2], [3], -1)

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A4

B2

C3

D1

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using positive step instead of negative.

Swapping rows and columns.

Wrong start number.

The sequence has 4 rows, 2 columns, starts at 3, and decreases by 1 each step.

Practice

1. What does the Excel function =SEQUENCE(5) do?

easy

A. Creates a vertical list of numbers from 1 to 5

B. Creates a horizontal list of numbers from 1 to 5

C. Creates a 5x5 grid of numbers starting at 1

D. Returns the number 5

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the SEQUENCE function with one argument

   When SEQUENCE has one number, it creates that many rows in one column, starting at 1.

2. Step 2: Apply to SEQUENCE(5)

   It creates a vertical list: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in one column.

3. Final Answer:

   Creates a vertical list of numbers from 1 to 5 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   SEQUENCE(5) = vertical list 1 to 5 [OK]

Hint: One number means rows, vertical list from 1 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it creates a horizontal list
• Assuming it creates a grid
• Confusing output with a single number

2. Which of these is the correct syntax to create a 3-row, 4-column sequence starting at 10 with step 2?

easy

A. =SEQUENCE(3,4,10)

B. =SEQUENCE(4,3,10,2)

C. =SEQUENCE(3,4,2,10)

D. =SEQUENCE(3,4,10,2)

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall SEQUENCE syntax

   SEQUENCE(rows, columns, start, step) is the order of arguments.

2. Step 2: Match the question requirements

   3 rows, 4 columns, start at 10, step 2 matches =SEQUENCE(3,4,10,2).

3. Final Answer:

   =SEQUENCE(3,4,10,2) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Rows=3, Columns=4, Start=10, Step=2 [OK]

Hint: Remember order: rows, columns, start, step [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping rows and columns
• Mixing start and step values
• Omitting step argument

3. What is the output of =SEQUENCE(2,3,5,5) in Excel?

medium

A. [[5, 10], [15, 20], [25, 30]]

B. [[5, 10, 15], [20, 25, 30]]

C. [[5, 6, 7], [8, 9, 10]]

D. [[5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30]]

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand parameters of SEQUENCE(2,3,5,5)

   It creates 2 rows and 3 columns, starting at 5, increasing by 5 each step.

2. Step 2: Fill the sequence row-wise

   Numbers fill left to right, top to bottom: 5,10,15 in first row; 20,25,30 in second row.

3. Final Answer:

   [[5, 10, 15], [20, 25, 30]] -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   2 rows x 3 columns, start=5, step=5 [OK]

Hint: Rows x columns fill left to right, start and step control numbers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing rows and columns order
• Assuming step applies per row instead of per element
• Mixing vertical and horizontal filling

4. You entered =SEQUENCE(3,2,1,1) but got a #SPILL! error. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. You entered the formula in a single cell without enough empty cells to spill into

B. The step value cannot be 1

C. The SEQUENCE function requires at least 4 arguments

D. Rows and columns cannot be numbers

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand SEQUENCE spill behavior

   SEQUENCE outputs multiple cells. If adjacent cells are not empty, it causes a spill error.

2. Step 2: Check the error cause

   #SPILL! error often means the formula cannot spill because cells below or right are occupied.

3. Final Answer:

   You entered the formula in a single cell without enough empty cells to spill into -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Spill errors need empty space [OK]

Hint: Ensure enough empty cells for SEQUENCE to spill [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking step cannot be 1
• Believing SEQUENCE needs 4 arguments always
• Assuming rows/columns can't be numbers

5. You want to create a 4x4 grid starting at 16, decreasing by 3 each step, filling left to right, top to bottom. Which formula achieves this?

hard

A. =SEQUENCE(4,4,-3,16)

B. =SEQUENCE(4,4,16,3)

C. =SEQUENCE(4,4,16,-3)

D. =SEQUENCE(4,4,16,-1)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify parameters for decreasing sequence

   Rows=4, Columns=4, Start=16, Step=-3 (negative for decreasing).

2. Step 2: Match formula to parameters

   =SEQUENCE(4,4,16,-3) creates a 4x4 grid starting at 16, decreasing by 3 each step.

3. Final Answer:

   =SEQUENCE(4,4,16,-3) -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Negative step decreases numbers [OK]

Hint: Use negative step for decreasing sequences [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using positive step for decreasing numbers
• Swapping start and step arguments
• Using wrong step size