WHAT ARE PARENTHESIS IN FORMULAS?

[ann]

I have a formula: =(h24*j24)+(h25*j25)/sum(h24:25)

But I have no idea how many parentheses I am suppose to place around the
formula or what additional ones I need other than the one that surround the
indivudual formula.

 

[David McRitchie]

The SUM(H24:H25) if that is what you meant is a function
and sums the cells in the range.

The rest of the parens (parentheses) can be used to change
the order of operations. Since multiplication and division take
place before additions and subtractions they don't really matter here.

The formulas are like what you use in algebra.
See your Excel Help for "order of operation" or specifically
"about calculation operators".

Also look at "functions" in your Excel help.

 

[Sandy Mann]

The order or precedence in Excel is raised to a power, multiply/divide,
add/subtract

Your formula therefore is saying Divide (H25*J25) by SUM(H24:H25) *then* add
(H24*J24).

I assume that you actually want to work out (H24*J24) add (H25*J25) then
divide the answer by SUM(H24:H25) if so try:

=(H24*J24+H25*J25)/SUM(H24:H25)

Note that you don't need extra brackets in the (H24*J24+H25*J25) because of
the precedence of how Excel will do the calculations - Multiplication first
then addition.

--
HTH

Sandy
In Perth, the ancient capital of Scotland

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