Subtracting if positive value and get the sum if negative value

[lemmorsojedirdam16]

Hi,

I’m trying to figure out for a week trying to research what could be the formula for below

for instance
A1 = 87.5
A2 = -4.0
the answer should be 91.5 (87.5 + 4= 91.5)
however if
A3 = 91.5
A4 = 5.0

the answer should be 86.5 (91.5 - 5.0 = 86.5)

The formula should be in one formula, so if a cell is negative value should sum to the upper cell and if positive value should be deducted to upper cell
Hoping somebody to help me to get the right formula... Thank you un advance

 

[AlanY]

=A1-A2 should give you the answers you wanted

 

[lemmorsojedirdam16]

=SUM(ABS(A1:A2))
This formula works to get the sum of negative number with positive number, but i need to incorporate with another formula if the number is positive should be subtracting from the upper cell.

 

[gaz_chops]

Did you try AlanY's suggestion?

 

[lemmorsojedirdam16]

Did you try AlanY's suggestion?

Yes, but i'm looking for 1 formula for both arguments... like if negative values get the sum of absolute number then if positive values deduct from upper cell value. I don't know how to do that... honestly...

 

[gaz_chops]

Did you actually try his suggestion? If so, what result did you get & what result did you expect?

This is using his suggestion

[TABLE="width: 174"]
<colgroup><col width="87" span="2" style="width: 65pt;"></colgroup><tbody>[TR]
[TD="width: 87, align: right"]87.5[/TD]
[TD="width: 87, align: right"]91.5[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]-4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]91.5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]86.5[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[lemmorsojedirdam16]

Hi Gaz,

I tried and got the correct answer... i didn't realize that i'm doing the opposite, that's why i'm getting incorrect result. apologized for that!

Thanks and apologized Alan... didn't realized... Thank's Gaz for enlightenment..

 

[gaz_chops]

You're welcome, glad you got a solution.

 

[AlanY]

Hi Gaz,

I tried and got the correct answer... i didn't realize that i'm doing the opposite, that's why i'm getting incorrect result. apologized for that!

Thanks and apologized Alan... didn't realized... Thank's Gaz for enlightenment..

glad that you got it sorted

 

[AlanY]

You're welcome, glad you got a solution.

thanks for helping out, i'd been away for a few hours