Do not use on any
shared computer
May 9, 2008 04:17pm pdt
02.28.2008 at 03:07AM PST, ID: 23199887
[x]
Attachment Details
[x]
The Solution Rating System

With so many solutions, how can you tell which solutions are most likely to help you and which ones are not? To provide you with a tool to use, we rate our solutions based on various elements that most accurately determine if a solution is a quality solution. To explain what factors affect the solution rating, here are the elements we take into consideration when formulating our solution rating.

  • The Grade of the Solution
  • The Zone Rank of the Expert Providing the Solution
  • The Number of Author and Expert Comments
  • The Number of Experts Contributing
  • The Feedback of the Community

Your Input Matters
Because of the way the system is set up, the most important variable in this equation is you. As a member of Experts Exchange, you are able to cast your vote on the quality of the solutions in regard to how complete, accurate, helpful and easy to understand each solution is. When you provide your feedback, each rating is adjusted accordingly. So, if you see a solution that has a poor rating that you think is a good solution, let us know by rating it. As you do, the rating will be adjusted and will become more accurate for other members of our site.

If you have any suggestions that you would like to make for our rating system, please ask a question in the Suggestions Zone of Community Support.

Thank you!

Excel, x minus x is not equal to zero
Tags: microsoft, excel, 2002
Hi

I am converting looking at an Excel application and came across something "interesting"

In Excel, the result of a formula is displaying in A1:
-0.000012461538484150200000000000
(this is an INDEX LINEST formula)

When I copy this value into the cell below i.e. A2
-0.000012461538484150200000000000

An set A3 = A2 - A1 I would expect the result to be zero; it isn't however, it is
-0.000000000000000000016940658945

Why is this?  Rather wierd that  x minus x is not equal to zero!

Thanks in advance!
Start your free trial to view this solution
Question Stats
Zone: Software
Question Asked By: rwallacej
Solution Provided By: rorya
Participating Experts: 5
Solution Grade: A
Views: 8
Translate:
Loading Advertisement...
02.28.2008 at 03:15AM PST, ID: 21002649

All comments and solutions are available to Premium Service Members only.

Start your 7 day free trial and see for yourself why Experts Exchange is the easiest and most proven technology resource in the world. Get Started

Already a member? Login to view this solution.

 
02.28.2008 at 03:19AM PST, ID: 21002665

All comments and solutions are available to Premium Service Members only.

Start your 7 day free trial and see for yourself why Experts Exchange is the easiest and most proven technology resource in the world. Get Started

Already a member? Login to view this solution.

 
02.28.2008 at 03:21AM PST, ID: 21002676

All comments and solutions are available to Premium Service Members only.

Start your 7 day free trial and see for yourself why Experts Exchange is the easiest and most proven technology resource in the world. Get Started

Already a member? Login to view this solution.

 
02.28.2008 at 03:23AM PST, ID: 21002679

All comments and solutions are available to Premium Service Members only.

Start your 7 day free trial and see for yourself why Experts Exchange is the easiest and most proven technology resource in the world. Get Started

Already a member? Login to view this solution.

 
02.28.2008 at 03:25AM PST, ID: 21002691

Rank: Genius

All comments and solutions are available to Premium Service Members only.

Start your 7 day free trial and see for yourself why Experts Exchange is the easiest and most proven technology resource in the world. Get Started

Already a member? Login to view this solution.

 
02.28.2008 at 03:50AM PST, ID: 21002791

Rank: Guru

All comments and solutions are available to Premium Service Members only.

Start your 7 day free trial and see for yourself why Experts Exchange is the easiest and most proven technology resource in the world. Get Started

Already a member? Login to view this solution.

 
03.24.2008 at 02:01AM PDT, ID: 21192523

Rank: Genius

All comments and solutions are available to Premium Service Members only.

Start your 7 day free trial and see for yourself why Experts Exchange is the easiest and most proven technology resource in the world. Get Started

Already a member? Login to view this solution.

 
 
Loading Advertisement...
Microsoft
  • Internet Protocols
  • Applications
  • Development
  • OS
  • Hardware
  • Windows Security
Apple
  • Operating Systems
  • Hardware
  • Programming
  • Networking
  • Software
Internet
  • Search Engines
  • File Sharing
  • WebTrends / Stats
  • Spy / Ad Blockers
  • Web Browsers
  • New Net Users
  • Web Development
  • Chat / IM
  • Anti Spam
  • Web Servers
  • Anti-Virus
  • Email Clients
Gamers
  • Tips
  • Online / MMORPG
  • Puzzle
  • Emulators
  • Action / Adventure
  • Role Playing
  • Consoles
  • Game Programming
  • Strategy
  • Sports
  • Misc
  • Computer Games
Digital Living
  • Hardware
  • New Net Users
  • New Users
  • Software
  • Digital Music
  • Gaming World
  • Home Security
  • Apple
  • Networking Hardware
Virus & Spyware
  • Vulnerabilities
  • IDS
  • Encryption
  • Anti-Virus
  • Operating Systems Security
  • Software Firewalls
  • WebApplications
  • Cell Phones
  • Operating Systems
  • Internet
  • Hardware Firewalls
Hardware
  • Handhelds / PDAs
  • Displays / Monitors
  • Components
  • Networking Hardware
  • Peripherals
  • Laptops/Notebooks
  • Storage
  • Servers
  • Desktops
  • New Users
  • Misc
  • Apple
Software
  • System Utilities
  • Industry Specific
  • Network Management
  • Photos / Graphics
  • Page Layout
  • VMWare
  • Misc
  • Web Development
  • OS
  • CYGWIN
  • Voice Recognition
  • Message Queue
  • Quality Assurance
  • Security
  • Firewalls
  • MultiMedia Applications
  • Development
  • Database
  • Office / Productivity
  • Business Management
  • OS/2 Apps
  • Server Software
  • Internet / Email
ITPro
  • OS
  • Storage
  • Encryption
  • Operating Systems Security
  • Apple Hardware
  • Laptops & Notebooks
  • Servers
  • Networking Hardware
  • Peripherals
  • Devices
  • Displays / Monitors
  • WebTrends / Stats
  • Search Engines
  • Firewalls
  • WebApplications
  • IDS
  • Vulnerabilities
  • Email Clients
  • File Sharing
  • Spy / Ad Blockers
  • Web Browsers
  • Web Servers
  • Networking
  • Anti-Virus
  • Chat / IM
  • Anti Spam
Developer
  • Web Servers
  • Web Browsers
  • Game Programming
  • Dev Tools
  • Industry Specific
  • Office / Productivity
  • Database
  • CYGWIN
  • Web Development
  • Search Engines
  • File Sharing
  • WebTrends / Stats
  • Programming
  • Content Management
  • Application Servers
  • Protocols
Storage
  • Removable Backup Media
  • Storage Technology
  • Servers
  • Grid
  • Remote Access
  • Backup / Restore
  • Misc
  • Hard Drives
OS
  • Miscellaneous
  • Security
  • Development
  • Linux
  • VMWare
  • MainFrame OS
  • Unix
  • Apple
  • OS / 2
  • AS / 400
  • BeOS
  • Microsoft
  • VMS / OpenVMS
Database
  • Oracle
  • Miscellaneous
  • MySQL
  • Software
  • Sybase
  • Contact Management
  • PostgreSQL
  • Data Manipulation
  • Clarion
  • InterSystems Cache
  • Siebel
  • MUMPS
  • OLAP
  • SQLBase
  • SAS
  • GIS & GPS
  • 4GL
  • Berkeley DB
  • DB2
  • Informix
  • Interbase / Firebird
  • FoxPro
  • Reporting
  • LDAP
  • Filemaker Pro
  • MS SQL Server
  • dBase
  • MS Access
Security
  • Misc
  • Web Browsers
  • Software Firewalls
  • Operating Systems Security
  • File Sharing
  • Spy / Ad Blockers
  • Vulnerabilities
  • WebApplications
  • IDS
  • Anti-Virus
  • Encryption
  • Anti Spam
  • Email Clients
  • VPN
  • Chat / IM
Programming
  • Editors IDEs
  • Installation
  • Handhelds / PDAs
  • Multimedia Programming
  • System / Kernel
  • Algorithms
  • Game
  • Signal Processing
  • Project Management
  • Open Source
  • Database
  • Misc
  • Languages
  • Processor Platforms
  • Theory
Web Development
  • Scripting
  • Blogs
  • Web Servers
  • Software
  • Search Engines
  • Web Graphics
  • Images
  • Internet Marketing
  • Images and Photos
  • Components
  • Document Imaging
  • Web Languages/Standards
  • Illustration
  • WebApplications
  • Fonts
  • WebTrends / Stats
  • Authoring
  • Digital Camera Software
  • Miscellaneous
Networking
  • Protocols
  • Apple Networking
  • Network Management
  • Message Queue
  • Application Servers
  • Content Management
  • File Servers
  • Email Servers
  • Misc
  • Java Editors & IDEs
  • Wireless
  • Networking Hardware
  • Backup / Restore
  • System Utilities
  • ISPs & Hosting
  • Web Servers
  • Storage Technology
  • Removable Backup Media
  • Servers
  • Broadband
  • Grid
  • OS / 2
  • Novell Netware
  • Unix Networking
  • Windows Networking
  • Security
  • Telecommunications
  • Operating Systems
  • Linux Networking
Other
  • Community Advisor
  • Lounge
  • Community Support
  • New Net Users
  • Philosophy / Religion
  • Math / Science
  • Miscellaneous
  • URLs
  • Expert Lounge
  • Politics
  • Puzzles / Riddles
Community Support
  • Suggestions
  • New to EE
  • New Topics
  • Community Advisor
  • CleanUp
  • Announcements
  • General
  • Feedback
  • Input
  • EE Bugs
 
02.28.2008 at 03:15AM PST, ID: 21002649
I'm guessing excel is rounding off the numbers in A1, so when u copy the number to A2 you get the value displayed, not the actual value held in the cell.
 
02.28.2008 at 03:19AM PST, ID: 21002665
This could be to do with the number formatting of the cells, have you tried different number types?
 
02.28.2008 at 03:21AM PST, ID: 21002676
OK I kind of understand the rounding; however  if

A2 = -0.000012461538484150200000000000
A3 = -0.000000000000000000016940658945

adding these gives
-0.000012461538484150216940658945

the value in A1 is
-0.000012461538484150200000000000

this is displaying the same number of decimal points so rounding shouldn't be the problem?
 
02.28.2008 at 03:23AM PST, ID: 21002679
EoinH
-changing the display type only hides the difference by reducing accuracy on screen?
 
02.28.2008 at 03:25AM PST, ID: 21002691

Rank: Genius

Excel can only work with 15 digits of precision which is why everything after the 2 simply gets converted to 0.
Regards,
Rory
Accepted Solution
 
02.28.2008 at 03:50AM PST, ID: 21002791

Rank: Guru

Assisted Solution
 
03.24.2008 at 02:01AM PDT, ID: 21192523

Rank: Genius

No comment has been added to this question in more than 21 days, so it is now classified as abandoned.

I will leave the following recommendation for this question in the Cleanup topic area:
   Split: rorya {http:#21002691} & jell {http:#21002791}

Any objections should be posted here in the next 4 days. After that time, the question will be closed.

Roos01
EE Cleanup Volunteer
 
 
03.28.2008 at 07:42PM PDT, ID: 21235272
Forced accept.

Computer101
EE Admin
 
 
 
20080206-EE-VQP-25 / EE_QW_2_20070628