Arithmetic operators in Google Sheets - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the formula to add the values in cells A1 and B1.

Google Sheets

=A1 [1] B1

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

A+

B-

C*

D/

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using * or / instead of +

Forgetting to include the operator

The plus sign (+) adds two numbers in Google Sheets formulas.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the formula to subtract the value in B2 from A2.

Google Sheets

=A2 [1] B2

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

A/

B+

C*

D-

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using + instead of -

Swapping the order of cells

The minus sign (-) subtracts the second number from the first in Google Sheets formulas.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the formula to multiply values in C3 and D3.

Google Sheets

=C3 [1] D3

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

A/

B*

C+

D-

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using + or - instead of *

Using / which divides instead of multiplies

The asterisk (*) is used to multiply numbers in Google Sheets formulas.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to divide the value in E4 by F4 and then add 10.

Google Sheets

=E4 [1] F4 [2] 10

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

A/

B+

C-

D*

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Swapping the order of operators

Using - or * instead of + for addition

First, divide E4 by F4 using the slash (/), then add 10 using the plus (+) operator.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to calculate the square of G5, subtract 5, then multiply by 2.

Google Sheets

=((G5 [1] 2) [2] 5) [3] 2

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

A^

B-

C*

D+

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using * instead of ^ for power

Mixing up subtraction and addition

Forgetting parentheses

Use the caret (^) to square G5, subtract 5 with (-), then multiply by 2 with (*).

Practice

1. Which arithmetic operator in Google Sheets is used to multiply two numbers?

easy

A. +

B. *

C. /

D. ^

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall basic arithmetic operators

   The multiplication operator in spreadsheets is the asterisk symbol *.

2. Step 2: Match operator to multiplication

   Among the options, only * represents multiplication.

3. Final Answer:

   * -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Multiplication = * [OK]

Hint: Remember * means multiply in formulas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing + with multiplication
• Using ^ for multiplication
• Using / instead of *

2. Which of the following is the correct formula to add the values in cells A1 and B1 in Google Sheets?

easy

A. =A1+B1

B. A1+B1

C. =SUM(A1 B1)

D. =A1*B1

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand formula syntax

   Formulas must start with an equals sign = to calculate values.

2. Step 2: Identify correct addition syntax

   The correct way to add two cells is =A1+B1. =A1*B1 multiplies instead, A1+B1 misses the equals sign, and =SUM(A1 B1) has wrong syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   =A1+B1 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Formula starts with = and uses + for addition [OK]

Hint: Always start formulas with = and use + for addition [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting = at start
• Using * instead of +
• Wrong SUM syntax without comma

3. What is the result of the formula =10 + 5 * 2 in Google Sheets?

medium

A. 20

B. 15

C. 30

D. 25

Solution

1. Step 1: Apply order of operations

   Multiplication (*) is done before addition (+), so calculate 5 * 2 = 10 first.

2. Step 2: Add the results

   Then add 10 + 10 = 20.

3. Final Answer:

   20 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Multiplication before addition = 20 [OK]

Hint: Multiply before adding in formulas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding before multiplying
• Ignoring operator precedence
• Calculating left to right only

4. The formula =A1 + * B1 gives an error in Google Sheets. What is the correct fix?

medium

A. =A1 + (B1

B. =A1 * B1

C. =A1 + B1 *

D. =A1 + B1

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify syntax error

   The formula has an invalid operator sequence + * which is not allowed.

2. Step 2: Correct the formula

   Remove the extra operator to get =A1 + B1, which adds the two cells correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   =A1 + B1 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Only one operator between operands [OK]

Hint: Use only one operator between values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using two operators together
• Leaving trailing operators
• Missing equals sign

5. You want to calculate the total cost in cell C1 by multiplying quantity in A1 by price in B1, then adding a fixed shipping fee of 5. Which formula correctly does this?

hard

A. =A1 * (B1 + 5)

B. A1 * B1 + 5

C. =(A1 * B1) + 5

D. =A1 + B1 * 5

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand calculation order

   You must multiply quantity and price first, then add shipping fee.

2. Step 2: Use parentheses to ensure correct order

   Formula =(A1 * B1) + 5 ensures multiplication happens before addition. A1 * B1 + 5 misses the equals sign; C adds shipping to price before multiplying (wrong); D multiplies price by 5 then adds quantity (wrong).

3. Final Answer:

   =(A1 * B1) + 5 -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Multiply first, then add shipping with parentheses [OK]

Hint: Use parentheses to control calculation order [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding before multiplying
• Wrong operator placement
• Missing parentheses causing wrong results