Lesson 6: Working with Math & Trig, Statistical, and Date & Time Functions
Contents
Instructional Resources
Page
Lesson Outline
Section 6.1: Using Math & Trig Functions
Section 6.2: Using Statistical Functions
Section 6.3: Using Date and Time Functions
5
6
7
7
File Listing
Recommended
Exercise Method
Student Data
File
Solution File
Use SUM and the
Formula Bar
6-1
DownTime.xls
None
Use Insert
Function
6-2
DownTime.xls
None
Use TRUNC
6-3
DownTime.xls
None
Use SUMIF
6-4
DownTime.xls
None
Use the
AVERAGE
Function
6-5
DownTime.xls
None
Use the MIN
Function
6-6
DownTime.xls
None
Use the MAX
6-6
DownTime.xls
None
Task
Key =, name of function,
and left parenthesis.
Choose cell(s) for
argument and press
[Enter].
Click Insert Function
button. Select category
and function name. Click
OK. Click in entry boxes in
dialog box and choose
cell(s). Click OK.
In the Number box, click
cell. In Num_digits box,
key number of decimal
positions. Click OK.
In the Range box, select
cell(s). In the Criteria box,
key condition. Click OK.
In the Number1 box, select
cell(s). Repeat for
additional ranges in
NumberN boxes. Click OK.
In the Number1 box, select
cell(s). Repeat for
additional ranges in
NumberN boxes. Click OK.
In the Number1 box, select
Function
Use the COUNT
Function
6-7
Use the COUNTA
Function
6-8
Use the TODAY()
Function
Key and Format
Dates
6-9
Use Fill Across
Worksheets
6-11
Create a Custom
Date Format
6-12
Key and Format
Times
6-13
Use the NOW( )
Function
Create a Custom
Time Format
Use Math and Trig
functions
Use Math and Trig
and Statistical
functions
Use Date and
Time functions.
6-14
cell(s). Repeat for
additional ranges in
NumberN boxes. Click OK.
In the Value1 box, select
cell(s). Repeat for
additional ranges in
ValueN boxes. Click OK.
In the Value1 box, select
cell(s). Repeat for
additional ranges in
ValueN boxes. Click OK.
Click =today() in cell. Press
[Enter].
Select cell(s). Press
[Ctrl]+[1]. Click Number tab
and choose Date. Choose
style and click OK.
Click worksheet tab. Hold
down [Ctrl] and click other
tabs. Select cells. Choose
Edit, Fill, and Across
Worksheets. Choose All
and click OK.
Select cell(s). Press
[Ctrl]+[1]. Click Number tab
and choose Custom. Key
codes for format in Type
box. Click OK.
Select cell(s). Press
[Ctrl]+[1]. Click Number tab
and choose Time. Choose
style and click OK.
Click =now() in cell. Press
[Enter].
DownTime.xls
None
DownTime.xls
Sol6-8.xls
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
6-15
None
Sol6-15.xls
6-16
HolidayPay.xls
Sol6-16.xls
6-17
Insurance.xls
Sol6-17.xls
6-18
ChkBk.xlt
Sol6-18.xls
6-10
Use Math and Trig
functions.
Use Date and
Time functions.
Format times and
dates.
Use Date
functions. Format
times and dates.
Fill across a
worksheet.
Use Statistical
functions. Use Fill
Across Worksheet
to copy data.
Use Math & Trig
functions
Use date
arithmetic
6-19
None
Sol6-19.xls
6-20
CSCalls.xlt
Sol6-20.xls
6-21
ShopPart.xls
Sol6-21.xls
6-22
ORSundaes.xls
Sol6-22.xls
6-23
SalaryAdj.xls
Sol6-23.xls
6-24
6-25
6-26
HolidayPay.xls
The outline for this lesson will be presented in the following two sections:
Lecture Outline

Highlights from the text

Short discussions on difficult items
Lecture Notes

Notes

Teaching tips

Text figures

PowerPoint slides
Lesson Outline
A function is a built-in formula that helps to perform difficult things fast. Excel has many categories of functions. In this lesson, you will teach students how to perform
common mathematical, trig, statistical, data and time functions.
Section 6.1
Using Math & Trig Functions
This section focuses on using the following math and trig functions:
 SUM and the Formula Bar
 Insert
 TRUNC
 SUMIF
Section 6.2
Using Statistical Functions
This section focuses on using the following statistical functions:
 AVERAGE
 MIN and MAX
 COUNT
 COUNTA
Section 6.3
Using Date & Time Functions
This section focuses on using the following date and time functions:
 TODAY()
 Keying and Formatting Dates
 Filling Across Worksheets
 Creating a Custom Date Format
 Keying and Formatting Time
 NOW()
 Creating a Custom Time Format
Lecture Outline
Section 6.1
Using Math & Trig Functions
Lecture Notes
Lesson Key Objective
Explain how to use Math & Trig, Statistical, and Date &
Time functions in Excel.
This is a large category in Excel functions.
All functions have a syntax, which defines the necessary parts of the function and the order of
those parts. Most functions follow a similar syntax, which includes an equal sign and the name
of the function, followed by parentheses. An argument is placed in parentheses.
An argument is what the function needs to complete its calculation, usually one or more
values or cell ranges. If the function has more than one more argument, commas separate the
arguments. A function’s arguments can consist of:




Cell references (individual cells or ranges)
Constants (a number keyed in the formula)
Another function (known as a nested function)
Range names
SUM and the Formula Bar
Teaching Tip:
Inform the students that Excel inserts the SUM function
when the AUTOSUM button from the formula bar is
used.
Text Figure: F06-01
SUM is a mathematical function. It is a practical way to add long columns and rows.
It ignores cells with text and error values such as #NAME?
To add a row or column, key =sum in an empty cell, select the range of cells to be added, and
press ENTER. The sum of the selected cells will appear in the cell where the formula was
keyed.
Teaching Tip:
Insert
Although functions can be keyed in a cell, the Insert Function dialog box can be used to select
a function.
Show how the Insert Function button and Functions
Argument dialog box help to build formulas correctly.
They can be used for most Excel functions.
The Function Arguments dialog box helps complete a function. Each function is described in
the dialog box.
Text Figure: F06-02
The TRUNC function is used to remove the decimal part of a number.
Teaching Tip:
The number of decimal positions to be retained can be set.
Show students how the Function Arguments dialog box
can be dragged to another location if it covers the cells
that have to be selected.
TRUNC
Lecture Outline
Lecture Notes
SUMIF
The SUMIF function adds cells only if they meet a condition that is specified. It has two
arguments, Range and Criteria.
The range is the group of cells to be added. The criteria are the condition that must be met for
the cell to be included in the addition.
Section 6.2
Using Statistical Functions
Additional Notes:
Logical values are ‘True’ or False’, and Yes’ or ‘No’.
Average
It calculates the arithmetic mean of a range of cells by adding the values in the cells and then
dividing by the number of values.
It ignores text, blank, or empty cells, error values, and logical values.
MIN or MAX
These functions show the minimum (smallest) and the maximum (largest) value in the range.
They ignore text, blank, or empty cells, error values, and logical values.
COUNT
This function tallies the number of values in a range.
It ignores text, blank, or empty cells, error values, and logical values.
COUNTA
It tallies values as well as labels in a range.
It ignores blank or empty cells, error values, and logical values.
It does not ignore text.
Teaching Tip:
Remind the students that average will be calculated as a
General number with the default decimals. The number
can be rounded up to the next whole number. When a
decimal is rounded to a whole number, any decimal
value that is .5 or greater is rounded up to the next
whole number.
Additional Notes:
The Count option in AutoCalculate shows the same
results as the COUNTA function. AutoCalculate’s Count
Nums option shows the same results as the COUNT
function.
Text Figure: F06-09
Section 6.3
Using Date & Time Functions
Excel’s Date & Time functions can be used to display the current date and time, determine
ages, and calculate hours worked, days passed, and future dates.
Using the TODAY() function
Teaching Tip:
Inform students how Excel uses a serial number system.
A serial number is a date shown as a value. Excel’s date
system sets January 1, 1900 as 1, January 2, 1900 as
2, and counts the days from that point all the way to
December 31, 9999.
Lecture Outline
It displays the current date, using the computer’s internal clock.
It has no arguments, and Excel formats the results in a standard date style.
It is described as volatile, which means that Excel recalculates the results each time the
workbook is opened.
Keying and Formatting Dates
Lecture Notes
Additional Notes
Excel capitalizes function names after you complete the
cell. Days and months need not be capitalized. Excel
will do it automatically because they are included in its
custom lists.
Text Figures: F06-10, F06-11 and F06-12
Dates can be keyed in a variety of ways.
Excel assigns the closest matching date format to the date keyed, so the format on screen
may not match what was keyed.
Filling Across Worksheets
It is used to copy data from one worksheet to another.
To use this command both the source and destination worksheets have to be selected. The
data is then selected and copied using a series of options from the Edit menu and submenus.
Creating a Custom Date Format
To create a custom date format, formatting codes are keyed in the Format Cells dialog box.
Keying and Formatting Time
When time is keyed in a format Excel recognizes, a default style is automatically applied to it.
Using the NOW() function
This function is similar to TODAY() and uses the computer’s clock to show the current date
and time.
Creating a Custom Time Format
Similar to creating a custom date format, a custom time format can be created in the Format
Cell dialog box.
Additional Notes
AM and PM need not be capitalized because Excel
automatically capitalizes them. When the time is keyed
using the 24-hour clock and is after 12 noon, AM or PM
should not be keyed in.