The range $B3:$B202 fixes the column and lets the row vary, which is exactly the opposite of the direction that needs to be fixed. When copied across columns the counted column stays stuck on column B and does not move, and when copied down rows the rows of the count range shift out of place. The search condition A$208 also has a varying column and a fixed row, reversed in the same way, so it does not produce a correct frequency tally.
×Incorrectイ
The range $B3:$G3 points to a single row that lays out one respondent's answers horizontally, and the search condition is $A3 as well. This does not count the 200 respondents' answers vertically as a frequency tally; the scanning direction of the count is wrong.
○ウ
正解Cell B208 is a formula that counts, within the “Store” column (B3 to B202, the 200 respondents) of the survey tally table, the number of cells (the frequency) whose rating matches the value in A208 (=5). Because this formula is copied into B208 through G212, the fixing and shifting of the references is designed as follows. (1) For the count range, when copying across columns B→C→…→G we want the counted column to shift along as well, so the column uses a relative reference; conversely the rows must always stay fixed at 3 to 202, so the row uses an absolute reference → B$3:B$202. (2) For the search condition, even when copied across columns we always want to look at column A (the rating value), so the column uses an absolute reference; when copying down rows 208→212 we want the rating value to shift row by row as 5→4→3→2→1, so the row uses a relative reference → $A208. Therefore the formula is 「COUNTIF(B$3:B$202, = $A208)」, and the correct answer is ウ.
×Incorrectエ
The range B$3:G$3 likewise points to a single horizontal row (one respondent) and does not count the 200 respondents vertically. The search condition A$3 also targets the wrong place, so it does not hold up as a formula for finding the frequency (the number of matching respondents).
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An absolute reference (with $) stays fixed when copied, while a relative reference (without $) shifts in the direction of copying. The key is to place the $ selectively: let only the column move and keep the row fixed for the count range (B$3:B$202), and keep the column fixed and let only the row move for the search condition ($A208).
COUNTIF (conditional count) is a function that counts, within a specified range, the number of cells (the frequency) that match the search condition.