← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Arithmetic operators + - * /

The symbols + - * / add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers in a formula. Use brackets ( ) to choose which part is worked out first, like =(A1+B1)*2.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 23, VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 7, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 60, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Acquiring, storing and validating data — Module 9, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 11

Understanding Arithmetic operators + - * / in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: Brackets make the addition happen first, so B2+3 is worked out before the multiply by 2. The - symbol subtracts, so A1-B1 takes the amount in B1 away from the amount in A1. Spreadsheets use the star symbol * for multiply. The letter x is not an operator, so =A1*B1 works but =A1xB1 does not. On a keyboard we type / for divide. A formula like =A1/B1 works, but the ÷ sign is not used. Every formula must start with =. Without it, the cell just shows the text A1+B1. The - symbol subtracts. 10 minus 4 is 6. Adding would use +.

Common mistakes: The letter x is not a maths symbol in a formula. To divide, use /, so it should be =A1/B1. The total cost is price times number of items, so it needs * to multiply. It should be =A1*B1.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 21–30) and word search (Modules 21–56).

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Learning
Duo
Which symbol multiplies two numbers in a spreadsheet formula?
x*
Matches
=A1x3
↓
The letter x was used to multiply. A formula needs the * symbol, so it should be =A1*3.
Applying
Meanings
Term
+ - * /
Meaning
The symbols + - * / add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers in a formula. Use brackets ( ) to choose which part is worked out first, like =(A1+B1)*2.
Practice
=(B2+C2)*3/2
Testing
Gaps
=A1B1
Check Answer
Spots
3C1: =A1+B1
4D1: =A1xB1

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Quick Questions

1. Which symbol multiplies two numbers in a spreadsheet formula?
A. x
B. * ✓
Spreadsheets use the star symbol * for multiply. The letter x is not an operator, so =A1*B1 works but =A1xB1 does not.
2. Which symbol divides in a spreadsheet formula?
A. / ✓
B. ÷
On a keyboard we type / for divide. A formula like =A1/B1 works, but the ÷ sign is not used.
3. Which formula adds the numbers in A1 and B1?
A. =A1+B1 ✓
B. A1+B1
Every formula must start with =. Without it, the cell just shows the text A1+B1.
4. What does =10-4 show in a cell?
A. 14
B. 6 ✓
The - symbol subtracts. 10 minus 4 is 6. Adding would use +.
5. What does =6*3 show in a cell?
A. 18 ✓
B. 2
The * symbol multiplies, so 6 times 3 is 18. Dividing 6 by 3 would give 2, using /.

Match the Pairs

=A1*B1 → Multiplies the number in A1 by the number in B1
=C2/4 → Divides the number in C2 by 4
Add 3 to the score in B2, then multiply the answer by 2 → =(B2+3)*2
Subtract the money spent in B1 from the money saved in A1 → =A1-B1
=A1x3 → The letter x was used to multiply. A formula needs the * symbol, so it should be =A1*3.
=A1+B1*2 (to add first, then multiply) → Without brackets, B1*2 is worked out first. It should be =(A1+B1)*2 to add first.

Key Term

+ - * /
The symbols + - * / add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers in a formula. Use brackets ( ) to choose which part is worked out first, like =(A1+B1)*2.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =A1*B1
Hint: Type the symbol that multiplies two cells
2. =A1/B1
Hint: Type the symbol that divides the first cell by the second
3. =(A1+B1)*2
Hint: Type the opening bracket so the adding is worked out first
4. =C2-D2
Hint: Type the symbol that subtracts one cell from another
5. =(A1+B1)/2
Hint: Type the symbol that divides the total by 2 to find the middle

Spot the Error

Question 1
A A1: 12
B B1: 4
C C1: =A1+B1
D D1: =A1xB1
Line D — The letter x is not a maths symbol in a formula. To divide, use /, so it should be =A1/B1.
Question 2
A A1: 20
B B1: 3
C C1: =A1+B1
D # A1 is price, B1 is how many
Line C — The total cost is price times number of items, so it needs * to multiply. It should be =A1*B1.
Question 3
A # Add 4 to A1, then double it
B B1: =(A1+4)2
C A1: 6
Line B — There is no operator between the brackets and the 2. A formula needs * to multiply, so it should be =(A1+4)*2.
Question 4
A A1: 30
B B1: 5
C C1: =A1\B1
D # C1 shares 30 among 5 kids
Line C — A backslash \ does not divide. Division uses the forward slash /, so it should be =A1/B1.
Question 5
A A1: 9
B B1: A1*3
C C1: =B1-A1
Line B — Every formula must start with =. Without it the cell shows plain text. It should be =A1*3.

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