formula calculation question

[Alex01]

i have restrictrd space on a sheet and am trying to create a total calculation from several cells.

this is my method which is returning wrong answer:

a1 is where i want the total to appear, b1 value is 15, c1 value is 3 and d1 value is 100.

i want the value of b1 to deduct 1 from itself then multiply by c1 then multiply by d1. so math should be 15-1=14x3=42x100=4200.

my formula for a1 is: =B1-1*C1*D1 which returns a -285 value.

as usual with me it's very likely the way i am telling excel how to calculate it is wrong. can someone put me straight on this please?

[Mikeopolo]

You need to add brackets around the first phrase: (B1-1)

Excel resolves the formula according to the usual maths rules

Regards
Mike

[Alex01]

many thanks Mikeopolo.

alex