Working in Excel, you can perform many different tasks, including mathematical ones. A wide range of program tools allows you to perform the required actions that do not require additional applications. One of such functions is a module - in Excel it is not used so often, but it has an important purpose.
What is a module?
By definition, a module is a mathematical action that returns the absolute value of a number, that is, the number itself without its sign. Despite the specifics, the use of the module can be found not only in solving mathematical problems, but also in economic models, physics, and many other exact sciences.
How to calculate the module in Excel?
In order to calculate the module in Excel, you can use several methods, the simplest of which is the ABS function. It returns the absolute value of the selected number or mathematical expression.
The syntax of the module function is very simple - in "Excel" it is enough to set "= ABS" in the formula line, and then indicate in brackets the argument, which can be a number, a cell reference, as well as some function that returns a numerical value. Also, this operation can be performed by clicking the "Insert function" button, where to select the corresponding function, or by using the search, indicating the word "module" or "ABS".
Calculation of the sum of modules
One of the common operations in Excel is the sum modulo. It allows you to add the values of cells without taking into account their sign. To perform this action, it is not necessary to initially calculate the modulus of each number, and then use the sum function.
When performing an operation related to several values, a module in Excel can work simultaneously with a whole set or range of cells. So, to calculate the sum modulo it is enough to use the following query design:
= SUM (ABS (A1: A4))
Here, in column A, the first four rows indicate the values for which modulo addition is necessary.
Examples
To consolidate the understanding of the module description in Excel and the principles of its operation, it is worth considering a couple of simple examples that demonstrate the function's operation.
To calculate the module of a given number or mathematical example, for example, the difference 2 and 5, you should use the following record:
= ABS (2-5)
The result of this query will be the number "3".
If you want to calculate the sum of the modules of the matrix elements whose values are written in the table with the range A1: C3, the fastest way to find the answer is to construct:
= SUM (ABS (A1: C3))