Understanding the Formula

[excel_learner]

I have attached a worksheet wherein i have given an example of the calculation and in that there is a formula in Column E starting from E8 and down. I want to understand that what does this formula calculate. (not giving here more description of the question as it can be understood from the attached file)

Please assist.

[patel]

I can not understand your problem, the formula is very simple

[excel_learner]

I want to understand in simple words what does it calculate.. Is it average or something else

[patel]

a=10
the formula is 10*11/2 = 55
it's not an average, but you only have to know the goal of your file

[Rick Rothstein]

I have attached a worksheet wherein i have given an example of the calculation and in that there is a formula in Column E starting from E8 and down. I want to understand that what does this formula calculate. (not giving here more description of the question as it can be understood from the attached file) The formula is this... =D8*(D8+1)/2 I do not know how it fits into the data in the workbook, but that is the formula for the sum of the first N digit where cell D8 contains the value for N. So, for example, if D8 contained the number 5, then the formula would evaluate to this...


=5*(5+1)/2

=5*6/2

=5*3

=15

The sum of the first 5 digits is 15 (=1+2+3+4+5). This will work for any positive value N in cell D8.