📚 Part 1: Guided practice — SUM and Subtraction

Step-by-step instructions (follow in Excel):

1. Open Excel and start a new blank sheet.

2. Type the headings and values below into these cells:

B1: Monthly Income ($) — $3,500

B2: Laptop repayment — $75

B3: Software subscriptions — $60

B4: Mobile data — $45

B5: Cloud storage — $20

B6: Accessories (mouse/keyboard) — $40

3. Click cell B7 and type the SUM formula to total the expenses. Press Enter.

Hint: Use =SUM(B2:B6) to add all the expenses together.

4. Click cell B8 and type a subtraction formula to find the remaining balance (Income minus Total expenses). Press Enter.

Hint: You can use =B1-B7 to calculate the remaining balance.

Hint: Look for the formula that starts with an equals sign and uses the correct syntax for the SUM function.

Hint: Remember, the SUM function only includes the cells specified in the range B2 to B6.

Hint: Start with an equals sign and use the SUM function with the correct cell range.

Hint: Add each expense together step by step to find the total.

Hint: Use the format =B1-B7 to find the remaining balance.

Hint: Subtract the total expenses from your monthly income.

✏️ Part 2: Understanding & Extra Support

Hint: Think about accuracy and efficiency when using Excel versus manual calculations.

Hint: The colon indicates a range of cells. What does that mean for the cells included in the calculation?

Detailed explanation for extra support:

= — starts every formula so Excel knows you are entering a calculation.

SUM() — a function that adds all numbers inside the brackets. Example: =SUM(B2:B6) adds B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6.

: (colon) — shows a range from the first cell to the last cell (B2 to B6). Excel includes every cell between them.

- (minus sign) — subtraction operator. Example: =B1 - B7 subtracts the number in B7 from the number in B1.

Hint: Think about what each symbol does in a formula and how it helps you perform calculations.

Hint: Reflect on your learning process. What concepts were clear, and which ones need further clarification?

✅ Answer Key

Answer: =SUM(B2:B6)

Answer: B2, B3, B4, B5, B6

Answer: =SUM(B2:B6)

Answer: $75 + $60 + $45 + $20 + $40 = $240

Answer: =B1-B7

Answer: $3,500 - $240 = $3,260

Answer: It is more accurate and saves time compared to manual calculations.

Answer: The colon indicates a range of cells from B2 to B6, meaning all cells in between are included in the calculation.

Answer: (Answers will vary based on student reflection.)