A better example would be

=Sum(A1+A2) * Sum(A3-A4)

In the above situation there is one formula (which is the whole line) and
two functions. Sum is the function. Anything beginning with the "=" sign is
a formula.

Your definition of input and output is reasonable.

"showsomeidnow" wrote:

i tried doing a search for this but am still unclear. if i have the
following for example:
=sum(A1+A2)

is SUM the function and (A1+A2) the formula? or is that too
simplistic.


Also, regarding variables if i have a list of, say, pupil data and a
convert this into a percentage is the pupil data INPUT variable and
the percentage(s) OUTPUT variable? again, is that too simplistic a way
of looking at things. thanks all.

thank you kindly - that's a brilliant definition and cleared things up
for me. yes, i know that the output variable could also be a graph or
spreadsheet table for example. i was just unclear as to what
calculating the percentages of data might be (output variable
possibly?). thanks again for your help.