When using formulas with cell references, the results change each time the numbers are edited.
You must follow the order of operations to get the correct answer.
Is the answer 8 or 4? If you ignored the parentheses and calculated in the order in which the numbers appear, 2*6-4, you'd get the wrong answer, 8. Using this order, let us see how the formula 120/(8-5)*4-2 is calculated in the following picture: Addition and subtraction, whichever comes first.Multiplication and division, whichever comes first.Exponential calculations (to the power of).If you enter a formula that contains several operations-like adding, subtracting, and dividing-Excel XP knows to work these operations in a specific order. The order of mathematical operations is important. Complex formulas involve more than one mathematical operation. Simple formulas have one mathematical operation.
