Excel 2007 : 300.00 - 288.60 = 11.40000000000003.5527136788005

[dddontshoot]

I get this problem with both 2003 and 2007 excel on 2 different computers.

Type this into Excel:

A1=300
A2=288.6
A3=A1-A2

are you with me so far? The answer is 11.40 right, it even says that on the screen. But is it really?
Keep typing:

A4=11.40
A5=A3-A4

Wait, 11.40 - 11.40 = 2.30926E-14

I think Excel needs to go back to school and learn math

[Paul]

Hi ddd, welcome to the forum.

See this Microsoft article on why this happens in Excel (and other software that uses binary numbers for floating point calculations):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/78113

It is "relatively" common knowledge as you go up the Excel ladder in life.

[FDibbins]

interesting, when i do =EXACT(A4,A3) i get true, so the values are the same

[dddontshoot]

Thanks for that :-)

I solved the problem by using the "Precision as Displayed" option
Excel 2003 > Options > Tools > Calculation > Precision as Displayed
and
Excel 2007 Options > Advanced > Set Precision as Displayed

Cheers