The MIN and MAX functions
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Which formula finds the smallest value in cells B2 to B10?
2. Which formula shows the highest score in cells B2 to B10?
3. Cells B2 to B6 hold 4, 9, 2, 7 and 5. What does =MIN(B2:B6) show?
4. Cells B2 to B6 hold 4, 9, 2, 7 and 5. What does =MAX(B2:B6) show?
5. Which statement is true?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1=MIN(B2:B10) | AThe formula is missing the equals sign at the start, so the spreadsheet treats it as plain text. It should be =MAX(B2:B10). | |
| 2=MAX(B2:B10) | BFinds the largest (highest) value in cells B2 to B10 | |
| 3Show the lowest temperature recorded in cells C2 to C8 | CFinds the smallest (lowest) value in cells B2 to B10 | |
| 4Show the highest number of points scored in cells D2 to D12 | D=MIN(C2:C8) | |
| 5MAX(B2:B10) | EMIN finds the lowest value, not the top score. To find the highest value use =MAX(B2:B10). | |
| 6=MIN(B2:B10) to find the top score | F=MAX(D2:D12) |
C
Definitions
=MIN(range) and =MAX(range)
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
=___(B2:B10)
2.
=___(B2:B10)
3.
=MAX(______)
4.
=MIN(B2_B10)
5.
_MAX(B2:B10)
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
A1: Name B1: Score
B
A12: Lowest
C
A13: Highest
D
B12: MIN(B2:B10)
E
B13: =MAX(B2:B10)
Question 2
A
Goal: find the tallest
B
Heights are in cells C2:C11
C
=MIN(C2:C11)
Question 3
A
Lowest score: =MIN(B2-B10)
B
Highest score: =MAX(B2:B10)
C
Both look at cells B2 to B10
Question 4
A
Race times are in D2:D9
B
Fastest time is the lowest
C
Fastest: =MAX(D2:D9)
Question 5
A
Pet weights are in E2:E8
B
Heaviest: =MAX(E2:E8
C
Lightest: =MIN(E2:E8)
Answer Key
The MIN and MAX functions
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
B — =MIN(B2:B10)
Q2
B — =MAX(B2:B10)
Q3
A — 2
Q4
A — 9
Q5
A — MIN and MAX each look at a range of cells and give back one value.
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
=MIN(B2:B10) → Finds the smallest (lowest) value in cells B2 to B10
Q2
=MAX(B2:B10) → Finds the largest (highest) value in cells B2 to B10
Q3
Show the lowest temperature recorded in cells C2 to C8 → =MIN(C2:C8)
Q4
Show the highest number of points scored in cells D2 to D12 → =MAX(D2:D12)
Q5
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).
Q6
=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).
Section C: Definitions
Q1
=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.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
=MIN(B2:B10)Q2
=MAX(B2:B10)Q3
=MAX(B2:B10)Q4
=MIN(B2:B10)Q5
=MAX(B2:B10)Section E: Spot the Error
Q1
D — A formula must start with an equals sign. It should be =MIN(B2:B10) so the spreadsheet works out the lowest score.
Q2
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).
Q3
A — A range uses a colon between the first and last cell. It should be =MIN(B2:B10), not B2-B10.
Q4
C — The fastest time is the lowest number, so you need MIN. MAX would give the slowest time. It should be =MIN(D2:D9).
Q5
B — The closing bracket is missing. Every function needs a bracket at the end, so it should be =MAX(E2:E8).