Multiplying and Dividing Values
Apply the asterisk and slash operators to scale and split numbers.
Multiplying and Dividing Values is a free Excel Formulas Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 3 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Excel Formulas Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Two New Operators
Spreadsheets skip the school symbols. Multiply with the asterisk * (above the 8 key) and divide with the forward slash /.
=6*7Simple Multiplication
Put an asterisk between numbers to multiply. The formula below shows 42. You can chain more too: =2*3*4 gives 24.
=6*7Simple Division
Use the slash to divide. The formula below shows 5. Division can give decimals: =10/3 shows about 3.333, with full precision kept behind the scenes.
=20/4Multiplying Cell References
The real value is multiplying cells. If A1 is a unit price (12) and A2 is a quantity (5), the formula below shows the line total of 60.
=A1*A2Dividing Cell References
Division with references is just as easy. If B1 is a 120 bill and B2 is 4 people, the formula below shows each person's share: 30.
=B1/B2Calculating a Percentage
Percentages are just multiplication. To take 20% of a number, multiply by 0.20. If A1 is 50, the formula below gives a discount of 10.
=A1*0.20Worked Example: Invoice Line
Build one invoice row: price each in C1 (15), quantity in C2 (8). The formula below gives the subtotal, 120. Price times quantity powers nearly every sales sheet.
=C1*C2Combining Multiply and Add
Mix operators in one formula. With price 15, quantity 8, and a flat 10 shipping fee, the formula below shows 130. Multiplication happens before the addition.
=C1*C2+10The Divide-by-Zero Error
Division has one trap: you can't divide by zero. If the divisor cell is 0 or empty, you get a #DIV/0! error. Make sure it holds a real, non-zero number.
=10/B2Scaling and Splitting
Think of it this way: multiply scales a value up (doubling, applying a rate), while divide splits it (per person, per day). Most business math is these two moves.
=A1*A2Converting Units
These two make unit conversion simple. To turn minutes into hours, divide by 60. If A1 holds 150 minutes, the formula below shows 2.5 hours.
=A1/60Quick Check
Check your grasp of multiplying and dividing.
Recap
Recap: multiply with * and divide with /. Take a percentage by multiplying by a decimal, and watch for the #DIV/0! error when dividing by zero.
=C1*C2Frequently asked questions
Is the “Multiplying and Dividing Values” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Multiplying and Dividing Values” is free to read here on the web, and the Excel Formulas Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Excel Formulas Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Multiplying and Dividing Values”?
Apply the asterisk and slash operators to scale and split numbers. You practise Excel Formulas Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Excel Formulas Academy?
No prior experience is required. Excel Formulas Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 3 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Multiplying and Dividing Values” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Excel Formulas Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Excel Formulas Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Why Every Formula Starts With Equals
- Adding and Subtracting in a Cell
- Multiplying and Dividing Values
- Order of Operations in Formulas