-(3)^2 should be -9 and not +9

[mdeand]

Excel 2003 returns +9 when the correct answer is -9. Obviously this is a
specific example of a general calc error.

 

[Oliver Ferns via OfficeKB.com]

Nope, bad syntax by you.

Try -(3^2) = -9

-(3)^2 is equivelant to -3^2 which correctly calulates to 9 (-3*-3)

OK?

Cheers,
O

 

[Alan]

Excel 2003 returns +9 when the correct answer is -9. Obviously this
is a specific example of a general calc error.

Ahhhh.... help us....

If you have a spare few minutes, you may wish to peruse the following
thread from last year (watch out for the link wrapping in your
newsreader):

http://groups.google.co.nz/groups?h...r=&selm=VJROc.4%24975.1%40fe2.columbus.rr.com

Or this (same thing):

http://tinyurl.com/5t69s

The first 160 or so posts are quite good, but the quality of debate
flagged a little as it approached the 180 post mark.

Enjoy!

Alan.

 

[Dean D]

Hi
I think you're wrong as does Matlab, Kumon and the text I consulted. With
-(3)^2 the order of operation is to square the bracketed expression first.
Hope this helps.

 

[FNORD]

Amazing....good to know...

and very disturbing

 

[Oliver Ferns via OfficeKB.com]

I wasn't referring to Mathematics but to Excel. I stand by my Bad Syntax
comment! The issue as to whether Excel is correct is, as we can see, highly
debatable!! ;o)

Thanks
O