Today you will

• use +, -, *, / and ^ in one formula
• use brackets to choose the order
• build a formula that answers a real question about your project

Warm-up

Don't use a calculator. Does {{code:=10+5*2}} give 30 or 20? Keep your answer in your head, because you will check it soon.

The operators are the maths symbols: {{code:+}} add, {{code:-}} subtract, {{code:*}} multiply, {{code:/}} divide and {{code:^}} power.

BODMAS is the order the spreadsheet works in. It does brackets first, then powers, then divide and multiply, then add and subtract.

Brackets {{code:()}} make the spreadsheet do the part inside them first.

Example

{{code:=10+5*2}} gives 20, because the multiplying happens first. {{code:=(10+5)*2}} gives 30.

With your partner, write a formula for P1, P2 and P3 (steps 13, 20 and 23) in your copy before you type anything. Then watch your teacher do the first formula and follow the steps below to see if you were right.

Common snags

• If you see the formula instead of the answer, delete the cell and type it again starting with {{code:=}}.
• If you and your partner get different answers, check your brackets. {{code:=240-60/4}} and {{code:=(240-60)/4}} are not the same formula.
• If you see {{code:#VALUE!}}, your formula is using a cell with words in it. Point it at number cells only.

Your project sheet can look like this

Your teacher will go through this example once. Then you will use the same layout with your own project numbers.