Which function in Excel would provide the total of a range of numbers?

• A. SUM
• B. AVERAGE
• C. COUNT
• D. MIN

Answer: (A)

The function that provides the total of a range of numbers in Excel is the SUM function. This function is specifically designed to calculate the sum of values across a specified range. When used, it adds together all the numerical entries in that range to deliver a single total value, making it an essential tool for tasks involving financial data, budgeting, or any situation where an aggregate of numbers is needed.

In contrast, the AVERAGE function computes the mean value of a set of numbers, finding the central value rather than a total sum. The COUNT function tallies how many entries or cells contain numerical data within a specified range, while the MIN function identifies the smallest number in a group. Each of these functions serves a distinct purpose, but for obtaining the total of a range of numbers, the SUM function is unequivocally the appropriate choice.