A(n) tells Excel what kind of math to do with the numbers or cell references?

A formula tells Excel what kind of math to perform with the numbers or cell references. It begins with an equal sign (=) and can include operators like addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), and division (/). Formulas can also incorporate functions, which are predefined calculations, to perform more complex operations. This allows users to manipulate and analyze data efficiently within their spreadsheets.