To comment on the following update, log in, then open the issue: http://www.openoffice.org/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=75620 Issue #|75620 Summary|Order of Operations Error Component|Spreadsheet Version|OOo 2.0.4 Platform|PC URL| OS/Version|Linux Status|UNCONFIRMED Status whiteboard| Keywords| Resolution| Issue type|DEFECT Priority|P3 Subcomponent|programming Assigned to|spreadsheet Reported by|mikkl
------- Additional comments from [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thu Mar 22 00:48:42 +0000 2007 ------- The order of mathematical operations is incorrectly implemented in calc. The sequence should be Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication & Division, Addition & Subtraction, all taken left to right. By this order, -x^2 and -(x^2) are equivalent expressions. If x = -1, both terms should evaluate to -1. In Calc, the first term evaluates as 1 and the second term evaluates to -1. The fundamental error in this implementation is evident with the equation "-x^2 + 42". By the commutative property of addition and subtraction "42 - x^2" and "-x^2 + 42" should give the same results. In calc, they do not. In order to assure the correct answer, the equation must be written as -(x^2) + 42. These additional parenthesis should not be required. I would note that this incorrect handling of the order of operations is consistent with Microsoft Excel--this is /not/ a product benefit (though it may be appropriate to make this inaccurate behavior a switch for compatibility reasons). The implication of this error is that subtle mathematical errors will propagate through complex worksheets unless the user/programmer takes great care to heavily use parenthesis throughout all of their calculations. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Please do not reply to this automatically generated notification from Issue Tracker. Please log onto the website and enter your comments. http://qa.openoffice.org/issue_handling/project_issues.html#notification --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
