H
Herbert
Sometimes when I subtract a number from itself, I get a negative zero, rather
than a simple zero. Why is this?
than a simple zero. Why is this?
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D
Don Guillett
probably a small diff somewhere in the 15 digits of the number
F
Fred Smith
It means that your result is less than zero, but not within the precision
you are displaying. For example, if the result is -0.00000000142, and your
number format is two decimal places, you will see -0.00. Subtracting a
number from itself often results in something other than true zero because
computers convert to binary to do computations. Binary conversions are not
perfect when extended to 15 decimal places.
you are displaying. For example, if the result is -0.00000000142, and your
number format is two decimal places, you will see -0.00. Subtracting a
number from itself often results in something other than true zero because
computers convert to binary to do computations. Binary conversions are not
perfect when extended to 15 decimal places.
H
Herbert
Thanks so much for your answer. It very well addresses my problem, and I amFred Smith said:It means that your result is less than zero, but not within the precision
you are displaying. For example, if the result is -0.00000000142, and your
number format is two decimal places, you will see -0.00. Subtracting a
number from itself often results in something other than true zero because
computers convert to binary to do computations. Binary conversions are not
perfect when extended to 15 decimal places.
--
Regards,
Fred
Please reply to newsgroup, not e-mail
Fred:
grateful.
Best regards,
Herbert