The SUM function

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The SUM function

Name:
Date:
Class:
A

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which formula adds up all the numbers in cells B2 to B10?
A =SUM(B2,B10)
B =SUM(B2:B10)
2. What does the SUM function do?
A Finds the biggest number in a range of cells
B Adds up all the numbers in a range of cells
3. In =SUM(C1:C5), what does the colon (:) mean?
A From C1 to C5
B Divide C1 by C5
4. Which formula is written correctly?
A =SUM(A1:A4)
B SUM(A1:A4)
5. Which button can type a SUM formula for you?
A AutoSum
B Sort
B

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left columnRight column
1=SUM(B2:B10) A=SUM(C2:C8)
2B2:B10 BAutoSum button
3Add up the scores in cells C2 to C8 CAdds up all the numbers in cells B2 down to B10
4Add up a whole column of numbers quickly using a button, which types the SUM formula for you DThe equals sign is missing at the start, so the spreadsheet treats it as plain text instead of a formula. It should be =SUM(B2:B10).
5=SUM(B2-B10) EA hyphen was used instead of a colon. A hyphen means subtract, so this does not make a range. It should be =SUM(B2:B10).
6SUM(B2:B10) FA range of cells from B2 to B10, with the colon meaning 'from ... to'
C

Definitions

=SUM(B2:B10)
D

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

1.
=___(B2:B10)
2.
=SUM(B2_B10)
3.
_SUM(C2:C8)
4.
=SUM(B2:___)
5.
Click _______ to add a column fast
E

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1
A B2: 5
B B3: 8
C B4: =SUM(B2-B3)
Question 2
A C11: =ADD(C2:C10)
B Adds C2 down to C10
C Total shows in C11
Question 3
A A1: Scores
B A2: 7
C A3: 9
D A4: =SUM(A2:A3
Question 4
A B7: SUM(B2:B6)
B B2:B6 is five cells
C B7 shows the total
Question 5
A 1. Click the cell below data
B 2. Click the AutoSum button
C 3. Press Esc to accept =SUM

Answer Key

The SUM function
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
B — =SUM(B2:B10)
Q2
B — Adds up all the numbers in a range of cells
Q3
A — From C1 to C5
Q4
A — =SUM(A1:A4)
Q5
A — AutoSum
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
=SUM(B2:B10) → Adds up all the numbers in cells B2 down to B10
Q2
B2:B10 → A range of cells from B2 to B10, with the colon meaning 'from ... to'
Q3
Add up the scores in cells C2 to C8 → =SUM(C2:C8)
Q4
Add up a whole column of numbers quickly using a button, which types the SUM formula for you → AutoSum button
Q5
=SUM(B2-B10) → A hyphen was used instead of a colon. A hyphen means subtract, so this does not make a range. It should be =SUM(B2:B10).
Q6
SUM(B2:B10) → The equals sign is missing at the start, so the spreadsheet treats it as plain text instead of a formula. It should be =SUM(B2:B10).
Section C: Definitions
Q1
=SUM(B2:B10) — A formula that adds up all the numbers in a range of cells. The colon means 'from B2 to B10'. The AutoSum button can type it for you.
Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
=SUM(B2:B10)
Q2
=SUM(B2:B10)
Q3
=SUM(C2:C8)
Q4
=SUM(B2:B10)
Q5
Click AutoSum to add a column fast
Section E: Spot the Error
Q1
C — A range uses a colon, not a minus sign. B2-B3 would subtract. It should be =SUM(B2:B3).
Q2
A — Spreadsheets do not have an ADD function for ranges. The function that adds up a range is SUM, so it should be =SUM(C2:C10).
Q3
D — The closing bracket is missing. Every function needs a ) at the end, so it should be =SUM(A2:A3).
Q4
A — A formula must start with an equals sign. Without it the cell just shows the text. It should be =SUM(B2:B6).
Q5
C — Esc cancels the formula. You press Enter to accept the =SUM that AutoSum typed for you.