APRIL 2020 PCWorld 123formulas in column M: =SUM(H7+I7)*J7-M7.
Note that the syntax (the structure or layout of
the formula) is correct in cells N7 and N8, but
incorrect in N6.- The next group (H10:H11) combines
the formulas in column M with the formulas
in column N: =SUM(H11+I11)J11-
(M11J11)—note that the formula in N10 is
incorrect. By combining these formulas into
one, you can eliminate columns K and L. - Also, instead of “hardcoding” the
price of the meals (as shown in M3:M4 and
M6:M8), you can now change the price of
the meals in column M (M10:M11) when
inflation dictates an increase instead of
changing the formula. - RAND FUNCTION
The RAND function is really simple and
traditionally used for statistical analysis,
cryptography, gaming, gambling, and
probability theory, among dozens of other
earnings, plus Bonuses, multiplied by the
number of days worked in a month, which
equals Gross Pay: =SUM(H3+I3J3) in cell
K3. Notice that the answer is $526.00. That
just doesn’t look right (see table below).
Use your calculator to check the formulas
to ensure they’re correct BEFORE you copy
them to the rest of the cells in the column.
The formula in K3 is wrong. It requires
grouping the numbers according to the
order of calculation using commas or
parentheses.
Note the corrected formula in cell K4:
=SUM(H4+I4)J4. Check your numbers
again (with your calculator) and note that this
formula is correct. The correct answer is
$2,332.00.
- The second formula (in M4) is
=SUM(J4*9), which multiplies the workdays
(22) times $9.00 to get the cost of meals per
day. The correct answer is $198.00. - The third formula (in N4) calculates the
monthly earnings minus the
meals: =SUM(K4-M4);
answer is $2,134.00. - In the next group
(H6:N8), the formulas in
M6:M8 remain the same:
=SUM(J7*9), etc.—again
that’s the number of
workdays times the cost of
meals. But the formulas in
column K are eliminated and
then combined with the Complex SUM functions using multiple arguments.