How to Use Excel in Solving Factorial Number

Author Zaheer    Category Formulas     Tags , ,

When it comes to databases, one of the most useful programs is Microsoft Excel. This is one of the most commonly used programs due to fact that Excel has the ability to produce and arrange data easily and quickly. Aside from this, Excel is also a great tool for the calculation of several mathematical equations. However, in order to use it appropriately, one must learn and understand the different functions that are included in this program. Through these functions, users could now calculate easily various mathematical equations. When it comes to financial, accounting and engineering problems, one of the functions that users need to be familiar with is the FACT function.

What is FACT Function?

The FACT function in Excel is used to compute for the factorial of a certain integer. The answer is the product of numbers from 1 to n.

What is the Syntax of the Function?

The formula of this function is:

=FACT(number)

In this formula, the number argument is an upper array of integers that will be multiplied together.  The n factorial is the product of numbers from 1 to n. For instance 5! is equal to 5*4*3*2*1 which in turn is equivalent to 120.

The only thing that needs to be kept in mind is that, once the value is not an integer, it will be truncated.

FACT function example

For a better understanding about the function, take a look at these examples below:

Solve for the factorial value of these different integers:

  1. 6!
  2. 8!
  3. 10!

In solving for the factorial of n, below are the procedures to follow:

  • Open the Microsoft Excel program.
  • Type in the given integer but remove the symbol”!”.
  • Once all of the data are already entered in the cells, start solving for the factorial value. Start with the 6!.
  • Click an empty cell where you want the answer to be displayed.
  • From the chosen cell, type in the factorial function formula which is =FACT(number). For the number argument, click the reference cell, the one with the value of 6.
  • Once all the required values are supplied in the formula, press the enter key. The function will return a factorial value which is equal to 720.
  • In solving for the factorial value of 8! and 10!, just repeat the same process. But in here, type in the reference cell that contains 8 and 10.

There are cases that you will obtain errors in using the FACT function. But, most of these errors are easy to handle if the user has an idea on what could be the possible cause of error. So to have knowledge about the errors, here are the common errors you get in using FACT function:

  • #NUM! – this is the error value that appears once the given value for the number argument in the FACT function syntax is less than or equal to zero.
  • #VALUE! – this appears once the given value for the number argument in the formula is not a valid numeric value.

Most of the time, common errors or mistakes occur because of the wrong input of data. So when using Excel, users should be very careful when entering values in the syntax of the function. In order to get accurate results, users must also supply all the required value or data correctly.

 

Further readings

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