Final answer:
A reference is a symbol or name that represents something else, such as a cell address or range of cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
A symbol or name that represents something else, such as a cell address or range of cells, is known as a reference. In the context of spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel or G Sheets, a reference is used to identify one or more cells. For example, a single cell might be referenced by the symbol 'A1', which denotes the cell located at column A and row 1. Similarly, a range of cells can be referenced with a symbol like 'A1:B2', which includes all cells from A1 to B2.
While the term 'reference' does not directly call to mind chemical symbols, it does share the commonality of using symbolic representation. In chemistry, a symbol like 'Hg' is used to denote mercury, whether it's referring to a single atom or a larger quantity. Both references in spreadsheets and chemical symbols serve the purpose of providing clear, concise identifiers for complex or multiple items.