Mastering PRODUCT() in Excel
PRODUCT() Function in Excel
The PRODUCT() function in Excel is a mathematical function used to
multiply two or more numbers together. It can also be used to multiply ranges
of cells, making it a versatile tool for calculations in spreadsheets.
Syntax
The syntax of the PRODUCT() function is as follows:
PRODUCT(number1, [number2], ...)
- number1: This is the first number
or range of numbers that you want to multiply. This argument is required.
- number2, ...: These are additional
numbers or ranges you want to multiply. You can include up to 255
additional arguments.
Key Points
- Range Support: You can specify individual
numbers, cell references, or ranges of cells.
- Handling Zero: If any argument is zero,
the result will be zero because any number multiplied by zero is zero.
- Non-Numeric Values: If you include non-numeric
values in the arguments, they will be ignored, and only numeric values
will be multiplied.
Example 1: Basic Multiplication
Suppose you want to multiply the numbers 2, 3,
and 4. You can use the PRODUCT() function as follows:
- Formula: =PRODUCT(2, 3, 4)
- Result: 24 (since
2×3×4=242 \times 3 \times 4 = 242×3×4=24)
Example 2: Multiplying Cell References
Imagine you have the following data in cells A1 to A3:
|
A |
|
5 |
|
10 |
|
2 |
To calculate the product of these numbers:
- Formula: =PRODUCT(A1:A3)
- Result: 100 (since
5×10×2=1005 \times 10 \times 2 = 1005×10×2=100)
Example 3: Combining Numbers and Ranges
If you want to multiply a number by a range of cells, for example:
- In cell B1, you have the
number 3.
- In cells A1 to A3, you
have 2, 4, and 5 respectively.
You can write the following formula:
- Formula: =PRODUCT(B1, A1:A3)
- Result: 120 (since
3×2×4×5=1203 \times 2 \times 4 \times 5 = 1203×2×4×5=120)
Practical Applications
1. Financial
Calculations: To calculate total expenses or revenues from different sources.
2. Inventory Management: To compute the
total cost of items based on quantity and price per unit.
3. Sales Projections: To estimate sales
volume by multiplying expected sales figures with prices.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Using PRODUCT()
1. Open Excel: Start Excel and
open a new or existing workbook.
2. Input Data: Enter numbers into
cells where you will apply the function.
3. Select Cell for
Result: Click on the cell where you want the result to appear.
4. Enter Formula:
o Type =PRODUCT(, then
select the cells or enter the numbers.
o Close the parenthesis
) and press Enter.
5. View Result: The cell will
display the product of the numbers.
Example Workbook
To help illustrate the PRODUCT() function, you can create a simple
workbook like this:
|
Item |
Quantity |
Price
per Unit |
Total
Cost |
|
Apples |
10 |
1.5 |
=PRODUCT(B2,
C2) |
|
Oranges |
5 |
2 |
=PRODUCT(B3,
C3) |
|
Bananas |
7 |
1.2 |
=PRODUCT(B4,
C4) |
|
Total |
=SUM(D2:D4) |
Summary
The PRODUCT() function is a straightforward and powerful tool for multiplying numbers and ranges in Excel. Its ease of use and flexibility make it essential for various calculations in business, finance, and daily tasks.
Assignments
Assignment 1: Basic Multiplication
Objective: Use the PRODUCT() function to multiply individual numbers.
Data:
- Number 1: 8
- Number 2: 5
- Number 3: 3
Task: Calculate the product of these three numbers.
Solution Steps:
1. Open Excel.
2. In cell A1,
enter 8.
3. In cell A2,
enter 5.
4. In cell A3,
enter 3.
5. In cell A4, enter the
formula:
=PRODUCT(A1, A2, A3)
6. Press Enter.
Expected Result in A4: 120 (since 8×5×3=1208 \times 5
\times 3 = 1208×5×3=120)
Assignment 2: Multiplying Cell Ranges
Objective: Use the PRODUCT() function to multiply a range of cells.
Data:
|
A |
|
4 |
|
6 |
|
2 |
|
3 |
Task: Calculate the product of the values in cells A1 to A4.
Solution Steps:
1. Open Excel.
2. In cells A1 to A4,
enter the following numbers:
o A1: 4
o A2: 6
o A3: 2
o A4: 3
3. In cell A5, enter the
formula:
=PRODUCT(A1:A4)
4. Press Enter.
Expected Result in A5: 144 (since 4×6×2×3=1444 \times 6
\times 2 \times 3 = 1444×6×2×3=144)
Assignment 3: Combining Numbers and Ranges
Objective: Use the PRODUCT() function to multiply a single number with a
range.
Data:
|
A |
|
5 |
|
2 |
|
3 |
|
4 |
In cell B1, enter the number 10.
Task: Calculate the total cost by multiplying the number in B1 with each
value in column A.
Solution Steps:
1. Open Excel.
2. In cells A1 to A4,
enter the following numbers:
o A1: 5
o A2: 2
o A3: 3
o A4: 4
3. In cell B1,
enter 10.
4. In cell C1, enter the
formula:
=PRODUCT(B1, A1)
5. Drag the fill handle
down from C1 to C4 to apply the formula for A2 to A4.
Expected Results:
- C1: 50 (since 10×5=5010
\times 5 = 5010×5=50)
- C2: 20 (since 10×2=2010
\times 2 = 2010×2=20)
- C3: 30 (since 10×3=3010
\times 3 = 3010×3=30)
- C4: 40 (since 10×4=4010
\times 4 = 4010×4=40)
Assignment 4: Total Product of Costs
Objective: Calculate the total cost of items based on quantity and price.
Data:
|
Item |
Quantity |
Price
per Unit |
Total
Cost |
|
Apples |
10 |
1.5 |
|
|
Bananas |
8 |
2.0 |
|
|
Oranges |
5 |
3.0 |
Task: Calculate the total cost for each item in the "Total
Cost" column.
Solution Steps:
1. Open Excel.
2. In cells A1 to A3,
enter the following items:
o A1: Apples
o A2: Bananas
o A3: Oranges
3. In cells B1 to B3,
enter the quantities:
o B1: 10
o B2: 8
o B3: 5
4. In cells C1 to C3,
enter the price per unit:
o C1: 1.5
o C2: 2.0
o C3: 3.0
5. In cell D1, enter the
formula:
=PRODUCT(B1, C1)
6. Drag the fill handle
down from D1 to D3 to apply the formula for the other items.
Expected Results:
- D1: 15.0 (since
10×1.5=15.010 \times 1.5 = 15.010×1.5=15.0)
- D2: 16.0 (since 8×2.0=16.08
\times 2.0 = 16.08×2.0=16.0)
- D3: 15.0 (since 5×3.0=15.05
\times 3.0 = 15.05×3.0=15.0)
Assignment 5: Cumulative Product of a Series
Objective: Calculate the cumulative product of a series of numbers.
Data:
|
A |
|
2 |
|
3 |
|
4 |
|
5 |
Task: Calculate the cumulative product up to each row.
Solution Steps:
1. Open Excel.
2. In cells A1 to A4,
enter the following numbers:
o A1: 2
o A2: 3
o A3: 4
o A4: 5
3. In cell B1, enter the
formula:
=PRODUCT(A$1:A1)
4. Drag the fill handle
down from B1 to B4 to apply the formula for the other rows.
Expected Results:
- B1: 2 (since 222)
- B2: 6 (since 2×3=62 \times 3
= 62×3=6)
- B3: 24 (since 2×3×4=242
\times 3 \times 4 = 242×3×4=24)
- B4: 120 (since 2×3×4×5=1202 \times 3 \times 4 \times 5 = 1202×3×4×5=120)
