Question

Name the error which will be displayed when a given number is divided by zero e.g. 25/0. State the reasons and the steps to be taken to correct this error.

Hint:

Dividing by zero gives the #DIV/0! error. Give two reasons and four corrections, including the IF function.

Answer 1

Step 1: Name the error:
When a number is divided by zero, the spreadsheet cannot give a result.
So for 25/0 it displays the error #DIV/0! (called the divide by zero error).

Step 2: Give the reasons:
Reason 1: the formula contains an explicit division by zero, for example =25/0.
Reason 2: the formula uses a cell reference to a blank cell, or to a cell that holds zero, as the divisor.
A blank cell is treated as zero in division, so the same error appears.

Step 3: Correction 1 and 2: fix the divisor:
First, change the cell reference in the formula so that it points to a cell with a non-zero value.
Second, type a value other than zero in the cell that is used as the divisor. The formula then gives a proper result.

Step 4: Correction 3: use #N/A:
Enter the value #N/A in the cell that is used as the divisor.
The result of the formula then becomes #N/A. This shows that the value is not available, instead of showing #DIV/0!.

Step 5: Correction 4: use the IF function:
Prevent the error value from showing by testing the divisor first with the IF worksheet function.
Example: =IF(B1=0,"",A1/B1). If B1 is zero, the cell stays blank. Otherwise the division is done.

Step 6: Match with the 6 marks:

Part	Content	Marks
Name	#DIV/0!	1
Reasons	Explicit division by zero; reference to blank or zero cell	2
Corrections	Change cell reference; enter non-zero value; enter #N/A; use IF function	3

Final Answer:
The error is #DIV/0!. It appears when the formula divides by zero or by a blank cell. It is corrected by changing the cell reference, entering a non-zero divisor, entering #N/A in the divisor cell, or using the IF function.