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Numbers error in function with multiple operators

I'm having a hard time resolving an issue with what I thought was a basic calculation - but clearly I'm not doing something correctly.


I have a basic budget spreadsheet that i set up in a previous version of numbers.


In the left column I have a list of bills then a series of columns for the frequency of the payment, weekly, monthly, annually etc. I then have a column at the end that calculate the amount per fortnight. The original formula from the old version of Numbers is quite simple and works if I past it to another cell, however if I attempt to type the same formula I get an error - red triangle with an exclamation mark. I am certain I am overlooking something very basic, however I cannot figure this one out.


User uploaded file


This is the formula that works. If I try and replicate the formula I get an error.


User uploaded file


I can copy and paste the formula, update the cell reference and it works well. I can even change the fixed value numbers. Why would I be unable to type this in?


I have also tried with and without the SUM function.


Thanks in advance for helping me.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Jul 29, 2015 1:36 AM

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Posted on Jul 29, 2015 2:00 AM

So after several days of beating my head against the wall I finally see what I've done wrong. I have been typing a lower case X for the multiply symbol instead of an asterisk. Sometimes you just need to say it out loud! I think the reason I was having so much trouble seeing the issue is due to the fact in the display it appears as an X and not an * as you normally do with computer multiplication.

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Question marked as Best reply

Jul 29, 2015 2:00 AM in response to DemetersRest

So after several days of beating my head against the wall I finally see what I've done wrong. I have been typing a lower case X for the multiply symbol instead of an asterisk. Sometimes you just need to say it out loud! I think the reason I was having so much trouble seeing the issue is due to the fact in the display it appears as an X and not an * as you normally do with computer multiplication.

Numbers error in function with multiple operators

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