1. Lesson 3: Complex Formulas
Unit 2: Basic Formulas and Functions
Lesson 3: Complex Formulas

2. Lesson 3: Complex Formulas
Objectives:
Compare simple and complex formulas
Understand the order of operations
Enter complex formulas (multiple operators)

3. Simple and Complex Formulas
A simple formula only contains one type of operator.
This formula only contains addition.
A complex formula contains more than one type of operator.
This formula contains both addition and multiplication.

4. Order of Operations Order of Operations: Parentheses Exponents
The order of operations determines which parts of a complex formulas to calculate first.
Order of Operations:
Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication & Division, working from left to right
Addition & Subtraction working from left to right
Spreadsheets, use a set of rules called the order of operations to calculate the answer to complex formulas.

5. Formula with Parenthesis
Order of Operations:
Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication & Division, working from left to right
Addition & Subtraction working from left to right

6. Formula with an Exponent
Order of Operations:
Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication & Division, working from left to right
Addition & Subtraction working from left to right

7. Formula with Multiplication and Division
Order of Operations:
Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication & Division, working from left to right
Addition & Subtraction working from left to right

8. Formula with Multiplication and Division
Order of Operations:
Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication & Division, working from left to right
Addition & Subtraction working from left to right
Notice, how the value of the formulas is very different depending on the order of operations.

9. Forcing an Order of Operations
Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication & Division, working from left to right
Addition & Subtraction working from left to right
Notice how the parentheses change the results.
Use parentheses when you need to force a certain order of operations. You can also use them when you what to see the order of operations more easily.

10. Summary
In this lesson, you learned about simple and complex formulas, the order of operations and how to enter complex formulas in a spreadsheet.