The Excel 2007 Bug

About the bug that affected Excel 2007, I think that is very hard to work with floating point calculations and approximation is very complex and find a problem in logic of this is a true nightmare!!!!

The summary of problem: Excel 2007 store six floating point numbers using binary representation between 65534.99999999995 and 65535, and dont store six between 65535.99999999995 and 65536 and this numbers are the cause of this problem.

I work with arbitrary precision in my scientific intiation and using libraries for care of this part for me, because of difficulties that involve the manipulation of calculate numbers that need arbitrary precision. IMHO, working with type of development demands very attention and very pacience.

The two links have a good explanation of this problem… Its a good lecture!!!

The Excel Bug Explanation by Good Math, Bad Math Blog
The Excel Bug Explanation for Mathematica Developers Blog

See ya people and have a good fun!!!

In play: Emerson, Lake and Palmer – Works (Black) Vol. 1 – 07: The Enemy God