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#1
April 3rd, 2005, 01:23 PM
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Negative Zero?
Sometimes when I subtract a number from itself, I get a negative zero, rather
than a simple zero. Why is this? 
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#2
April 3rd, 2005, 02:17 PM
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probably a small diff somewhere in the 15 digits of the number
-- Don Guillett SalesAid Software "Herbert" wrote in message ... Sometimes when I subtract a number from itself, I get a negative zero, rather than a simple zero. Why is this?
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#3
April 3rd, 2005, 04:58 PM
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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 "Herbert" wrote in message ... Sometimes when I subtract a number from itself, I get a negative zero, rather than a simple zero. Why is this?
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#4
April 3rd, 2005, 07:17 PM
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"Fred Smith" wrote: 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 "Herbert" wrote in message ... Sometimes when I subtract a number from itself, I get a negative zero, rather than a simple zero. Why is this? Fred: Thanks so much for your answer. It very well addresses my problem, and I am grateful. Best regards, Herbert
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