What formula can be used to calculate the sum of a range of cells in Excel?

The SUM function is the designated Excel formula for calculating the total of a set of values. It adds all the numbers specified as arguments, which can be individual numbers, cell references, or ranges. Its syntax is SUM(number1, [number2], ...), where number1 is required and subsequent numbers are optional. For example, the formula =SUM(A1:A10) adds all the numerical values in the cell range from A1 to A10, providing their total sum. This function is fundamental for performing addition across multiple cells efficiently.

B. MAX: This function is incorrect as it returns the largest value within a specified range, not the sum of all values.

C. AVERAGE: This function is incorrect because it calculates the arithmetic mean (the average) of the numbers in a range, not their total sum.

D. MIN: This function is incorrect as it returns the smallest value within a specified range, not the sum of all values.

1. Microsoft Corporation. (n.d.). SUM function. Microsoft Support. Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sum-function-043e1c7d-7726-4e80-8f32-07b23e057f89

Reference Point: The first paragraph states

"The SUM function adds values. You can add individual values

cell references or ranges

or a mix of all three."

2. Microsoft Corporation. (n.d.). MAX function. Microsoft Support. Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/max-function-e0506005-93ab-4ce2-8644-43f8d2eb5d1b

Reference Point: The article summary states

"Returns the largest value in a set of values."

3. University of California

Berkeley Library. (n.d.). Excel: Formulas & Functions. Data Lab. Retrieved from https://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/excel/formulas

Reference Point: In the "Common Functions" section

SUM() is described as the function to "Add up a range of cells." The same section correctly defines AVERAGE()

MAX()

and MIN() with their respective purposes.