In spreadsheet use, which function would you apply to find the total of a series of numbers?

The function that should be applied to find the total of a series of numbers in a spreadsheet is the SUM function. This function is specifically designed to add together a range of values quickly and efficiently, allowing users to calculate the overall total with ease. When you input a range of cells containing numerical data into the SUM function, it returns the sum of those values, making it an essential tool for tasks involving arithmetic calculations.

In contrast, while the PRODUCT function multiplies a range of numbers together rather than adds them, the MEAN function is used to calculate the average of a set of numbers instead of the total. The option labeled TOTAL does not correspond to a standard function in spreadsheet software. Therefore, the SUM function is the most appropriate choice for obtaining the total of a series of numbers in spreadsheet applications.