← Years 5–6 Data & Information

The MIN and MAX functions

MIN finds the smallest (lowest) value in a range of cells and MAX finds the largest (highest) value. For example, =MAX(B2:B10) shows the top score in cells B2 to B10.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 26, VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 12, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 65, VCE Data Analytics - U4O1 - Development and Evaluation — Module 25, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Analysing and visualising data — Module 3, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Acquiring and Storing Data — Module 46, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 16, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Acquiring and Validating Data — Module 106, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 12

Understanding The MIN and MAX functions in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: Lowest means smallest, so you use MIN with the range C2:C8. MAX finds the largest (highest) value, so it gives the top score. MIN picks the smallest number in the range. The smallest of 4, 9, 2, 7 and 5 is 2. MAX picks the largest number. 27 is the total of the numbers, which is what SUM would show, not MAX. MIN and MAX pick out one value (the lowest or the highest). Adding values is the job of SUM. Every formula must start with =. Without it, the spreadsheet treats MAX(B2:B10) as plain text. The fastest run has the lowest time, so use MIN. MAX would give the slowest time.

Common mistakes: A formula must start with an equals sign. It should be =MIN(B2:B10) so the spreadsheet works out the lowest score. MIN finds the smallest value, which would give the shortest student. To find the tallest you need MAX, so it should be =MAX(C2:C11).

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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 formula finds the smallest value in cells B2 to B10?
=MIN(B2:B10)=MAX(B2:B10)
Matches
MAX(B2:B10)
↓
The formula is missing the equals sign at the start, so the spreadsheet treats it as plain text. It should be =MAX(B2:B10).
Applying
Meanings
Term
=MIN(range) and =MAX(range)
Meaning
MIN finds the smallest (lowest) value in a range of cells and MAX finds the largest (highest) value. For example, =MAX(B2:B10) shows the top score in cells B2 to B10.
Practice
=MIN(B2:B10)
Testing
Gaps
=(B2:B10)
Check Answer
Spots
3A13: Highest
4B12: MIN(B2:B10)

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Quick Questions

1. Which formula finds the smallest value in cells B2 to B10?
A. =MAX(B2:B10)
B. =MIN(B2:B10) ✓
MIN finds the smallest (lowest) value in the range. MAX finds the largest.
2. Which formula shows the highest score in cells B2 to B10?
A. =MIN(B2:B10)
B. =MAX(B2:B10) ✓
MAX finds the largest (highest) value, so it gives the top score.
3. Cells B2 to B6 hold 4, 9, 2, 7 and 5. What does =MIN(B2:B6) show?
A. 2 ✓
B. 9
MIN picks the smallest number in the range. The smallest of 4, 9, 2, 7 and 5 is 2.
4. Cells B2 to B6 hold 4, 9, 2, 7 and 5. What does =MAX(B2:B6) show?
A. 9 ✓
B. 27
MAX picks the largest number. 27 is the total of the numbers, which is what SUM would show, not MAX.
5. Which statement is true?
A. MIN and MAX each look at a range of cells and give back one value. ✓
B. MIN and MAX add up all the values in a range.
MIN and MAX pick out one value (the lowest or the highest). Adding values is the job of SUM.

Match the Pairs

=MIN(B2:B10) → Finds the smallest (lowest) value in cells B2 to B10
=MAX(B2:B10) → Finds the largest (highest) value in cells B2 to B10
Show the lowest temperature recorded in cells C2 to C8 → =MIN(C2:C8)
Show the highest number of points scored in cells D2 to D12 → =MAX(D2:D12)
MAX(B2:B10) → The formula is missing the equals sign at the start, so the spreadsheet treats it as plain text. It should be =MAX(B2:B10).
=MIN(B2:B10) to find the top score → MIN finds the lowest value, not the top score. To find the highest value use =MAX(B2:B10).

Key Term

=MIN(range) and =MAX(range)
MIN finds the smallest (lowest) value in a range of cells and MAX finds the largest (highest) value. For example, =MAX(B2:B10) shows the top score in cells B2 to B10.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =MIN(B2:B10)
Hint: Type the function name that finds the smallest value in the range.
2. =MAX(B2:B10)
Hint: Type the function name that finds the largest value in the range.
3. =MAX(B2:B10)
Hint: Type the range of cells from B2 down to B10.
4. =MIN(B2:B10)
Hint: Type the symbol that joins the first and last cell to make a range.
5. =MAX(B2:B10)
Hint: Type the symbol every spreadsheet formula must start with.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A A1: Name B1: Score
B A12: Lowest
C A13: Highest
D B12: MIN(B2:B10)
E B13: =MAX(B2:B10)
Line D — A formula must start with an equals sign. It should be =MIN(B2:B10) so the spreadsheet works out the lowest score.
Question 2
A Goal: find the tallest
B Heights are in cells C2:C11
C =MIN(C2:C11)
Line C — MIN finds the smallest value, which would give the shortest student. To find the tallest you need MAX, so it should be =MAX(C2:C11).
Question 3
A Lowest score: =MIN(B2-B10)
B Highest score: =MAX(B2:B10)
C Both look at cells B2 to B10
Line A — A range uses a colon between the first and last cell. It should be =MIN(B2:B10), not B2-B10.
Question 4
A Race times are in D2:D9
B Fastest time is the lowest
C Fastest: =MAX(D2:D9)
Line C — The fastest time is the lowest number, so you need MIN. MAX would give the slowest time. It should be =MIN(D2:D9).
Question 5
A Pet weights are in E2:E8
B Heaviest: =MAX(E2:E8
C Lightest: =MIN(E2:E8)
Line B — The closing bracket is missing. Every function needs a bracket at the end, so it should be =MAX(E2:E8).

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