This document provides an introduction to basic formulas in Excel for college freshmen. It outlines objectives for students to be able to construct simple formulas, explain the importance of order of operations, discuss the benefits of using cell references in formulas, and describe how to use the SUM function. The document provides instructions on entering formulas, using order of operations, writing formulas using cell references or values, examples of formulas to try, and sources for further learning. It concludes by asking students to reflect on whether the objectives were met.

1. +
Excel FORMULAS for
College Freshmen
What we need to know to be successful in
college!
IN THIS SLIDE I would make it look a little more professional and focus on what we will be learning.
ORIGINAL SMARTEXCHANGE LESSON:
http://express.smarttech.com/?url=http://exchangedownloads.smarttech.com/public/content/a6/a66eaed4-b6d6-4efe-85a3-
0267c7b3c3fb/Using%20Formulas%20in%20Excel.notebook#

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Objectives: Using BASIC Formulas
in Excel
 You will be able to construct a simple formula in excel
 You will be able to explain the importance of ORDER OF
EVALUATION
 You will be able to explain benefit of building formulas using
cell references
 You will be able to describe how to use automatic SUM
FUNCTION
This is good – it shows what they will learn and then will
be able to look at end to see if it was sucessful.

3. +
A short intro to Microsoft Ecxel
Video – click on link to watch
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L1OVkw2ZQ8
Here I would add a video – so the students can watch more in action
For this presentation – it is all on the powerpoint – and some students
Learn better with video.

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How can I enter formula in EXCEL
SHEET?
1. Click on any cell in the worksheet – where you want your RESULT of formula to appear.
2. Begin your formula with a SYMBOL to say “HEY – I am typing a formula”
3. Example of SYMBOL: = [equal sign]
4. There are SIMPLE FORMULAS: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division [EX. 5+5
and 5/5]
5. There are COMPLEX FORMULAS: include many numbers and sometimes multiple
operations[EX. 1+3+4 and (5-5) / 4
This slide I would make it easier to read and follow with simple steps.

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COMPLEX FORMULAS YOU
MUST USE “PEMDAS”
 Please / Parentheses
 Excuse / Exponents
 My / Multiplication
 Dear / Division
 Aunt / Addition
 Sally / Subtraction
DO THESE IN THIS ORDER ….

6. +
How to find an AVERAGE of group
of numbers? 29, 34, 27
 Which is correct using PEMDAS?
=29+34+27/3 OR (29+34+27)/3

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Cell REFERENCES or Cell
VALUES?
 REFERENCES ARE BETTER FOR TWO REASONS:
1. AVOID ERRORS: typos can be avoided
2. CHANGES TO DATA: data can be changed / updated without
changing formula

8. +
CHECK IN …. WHAT HAVE YOUR
LEARNED?
________ is a formula with a single operation.
______ is a formula with mutliple operations.
______ is the order that must be followed when writing formulas.
Complex formulas / simple formulas / order of operations [key
bank]
Im not sure how to check work for the students in excel – but here I would
have them click on a word and have it say yes or no

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RULES for writing formulas
 Type correct SYMBOL to begin formula
 Include all numbers and operations
 USE PEMDAS
 Use PARENTHESES to change order of importance of
operations if necessary

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Let’s try some ….
Instructions: write formula and then click check mark to check
answers.
1. MULTIPLY B1 AND B2 AND ADD B3
2. DIVIDE C2 BY TOTAL OF C4 AND C5
3. ADD D7 AND D9 AND THEN MULTIPLY BY 4
Here I would have a video showing how to do this – I am not sure if you want
Me to actullay make the video here or merely tell you how I would adapt.

11. + Check out these websites to learn more. [HERE I WOULD HAVE SOURCES FOR THEM TO
LEARN MORE”
 https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Overview-of-formulas-in-
Excel-ecfdc708-9162-49e8-b993-c311f47ca173
http://www.dummies.com/software/microsoft-office/excel/how-to-
enter-basic-formulas-in-excel-2010/
http://spreadsheets.about.com/od/excelformulas/ss/formula_begi
n.htm

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SO – ask yourself – can you ….??
 You will be able to construct a simple formula in excel
 You will be able to explain the importance of ORDER OF
EVALUATION
 You will be able to explain benefit of building formulas using
cell references
 You will be able to describe how to use automatic SUM
FUNCTION
This is good – it shows what they will learn and then will
be able to look at end to see if it was sucessful.