Incorrect Formula for LINEST in Remarks Section of Help
Article ID: 140621
Article Last Modified on 8/17/2005
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Excel 95 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Excel 5.0c
- Microsoft Excel 5.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Excel 5.0a for Macintosh
This article was previously published under Q140621
SUMMARY
In Microsoft Excel 5.0 or 7.0 Help, the definition of the LINEST slope
formula is described as the following (in the "Remarks" section in Help):
m = n-(Sxy)(Sx)(Sy)
---------------
n(S(x2))-(Sx)2
The correct definition is the following:
m = n(Sxy)-(Sx)(Sy)
--------------
n(S(x2))-(Sx)2
The difference between the two functions is the minus (-) sign after the
first "n."
NOTE: The "S" in the formulas represents the Greek symbol sigma, which in
scientific notation, means sum or sum of.
MORE INFORMATION
This formula is referenced correctly on pages 155-162 of the Microsoft
Press book "Microsoft Excel 5 Worksheet Function Reference."
Additional query words: XL
Keywords: KB140621