VBA Code word for text string comparison...

Hey!

I would like to know what code word should I use thato allow the program to read and compare text strings within VBA.

for instance I have three columns

A | B | C

In column A, I will type the name of a thing (i.e. apples and pears)
In column B I will type the amount of apples or pears that I ate on day 1
In column C, I will type the amount of apples our pears that I ate on day 2

Therefore the code should have the following format

if(Range "A3:A10"="APPLE)
THEN 
 =sum(B3:C3)
END IF
IF(RANGE"A3:A10" = "PEAR") 
THEN 
=sum(B3:C3)

ENDIF

Let me know... Thanks!