The correct option for the absolute address of cell G5 in a spreadsheet application is C. $G$5. Explanation of the Correct Answer

1. Understanding Cell References:
2. In spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, cell references can be categorized into three types: relative, absolute, and mixed.
3. A relative reference (e.g., G5) changes when you copy the formula to another cell. For example, if you copy a formula from cell A1 that references G5 to cell A2, the reference will change to G6.
4. An absolute reference (e.g., $G$5) does not change when you copy the formula to another cell. The dollar signs ($) before the column letter and row number lock the reference to that specific cell.
5. Breaking Down the Absolute Reference:
6. The notation $G$5 indicates that both the column (G) and the row (5) are fixed. This means that no matter where you copy the formula, it will always refer to cell G5.
7. The dollar sign before the column letter (G) locks the column, and the dollar sign before the row number (5) locks the row.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect

• Option A: $G5:
• This is a mixed reference where the column (G) is absolute (fixed) but the row (5) is relative. If you copy a formula with this reference to another row, the row number will change, which is not what we want for an absolute reference.
• Option B: G$5:
• This is also a mixed reference where the row (5) is absolute (fixed) but the column (G) is relative. If you copy this formula to another column, the column letter will change, which again does not meet the criteria for an absolute reference.
• Option D: $G5$:
• This option is incorrect because it has an extra dollar sign at the end. The correct format for an absolute reference requires both the column and row to be locked with dollar signs, and they must be placed before the column letter and row number, respectively.

Summary of Key Points

• Absolute Reference: Denoted by $ before both the column letter and row number (e.g., $G$5).
• Mixed Reference: Denotes either the column or row as absolute, but not both (e.g., $G5 or G$5).
• Relative Reference: No dollar signs, meaning both the column and row can change when copied (e.g., G5).
• Correct Answer: The absolute address of cell G5 is represented as $G$5.

Revision Summary

• Absolute references use dollar signs to lock both the column and row (e.g., $G$5).
• Mixed references lock either the column or the row but not both (e.g., $G5 or G$5).
• Relative references do not use dollar signs and can change when copied (e.g., G5).
• The correct answer for the absolute address of cell G5 is C. $G$5.