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Performing arithmetic operations, Using predefined functions – Apple Pages 2 User Manual

Page 191

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Chapter 8

Creating Tables

191

Performing Arithmetic Operations

To create a formula that performs an arithmetic operation, you use arithmetic

operators. For example, to add the values in two columns, you could create a formula

that looks like this: A2 + A3 + A5.

Here are the basic arithmetic operators. For complete information about operators

that Pages supports, see “Defining Formulas That Use Operators” on page 193.

To add an arithmetic formula to a cell:

1

Select an empty cell for displaying the results of the formula.

2

Open the Formula Editor. For example, type an equal sign (=).

3

Enter the formula in the text field following the equal sign. For example, to enter the

formula A3 * B5 + B6, in the text field following the equal sign you could:

a

Click or type A3.

b

Type * (the multiplication operator).

c

Click or type B5.

d

Click B6 (if you don’t type an operator before clicking, the Formula Editor adds the

plus sign (+) automatically).

4

Click the Accept button or press Return or Enter to save the formula.

Using Predefined Functions

The Insert Formula button in the Formula Editor lets you quickly add a function to a

formula.

When you use a function, you name the function and, in parentheses following the

name, you provide the arguments it needs. Arguments specify the data the function

will use when it performs its operations.

To perform this operation

Use this arithmetic operator

For example

Sum two values

+

A2 + B2

Subtract one value from
another value

A2 – B2

Multiply two values

*

A2 * B2

Divide one value by another
value

/

A2 / B2