Which function would you use to find the smallest numeric value in a range of cells?

The function that is used to find the smallest numeric value in a range of cells is the MIN function. This function scans the specified range and identifies the lowest number within that set of values, making it an essential tool for any data analysis when you're looking to determine the minimum value.

Other functions mentioned are used for different purposes: the MAX function retrieves the largest numeric value, the MEAN function (often calculated using the AVERAGE function in spreadsheet applications) calculates the average of a set of numbers, and the COUNT function counts the number of cells that contain numeric data or meet specific criteria. Each of these functions serves a unique role in data analysis, but when specifically tasked with finding the minimum value, the MIN function is the appropriate choice.