Forum Discussion

simmo81154

Copper Contributor

Dec 03, 2019

whats wrong with this formula?

=14.3696*(1-(6.8754*10^5*F39))^5.2559

excel

PReagan

Bronze Contributor

Dec 03, 2019

Hello simmo81154,

The root of a negative value is imaginary. I assume you are receiving a #NUM! error?

For example if F39=1, then your formula equates to -9879660.4144^5.2559 which is imaginary.

If you can explain your goal with this formula, I may be able to offer a valid suggestion.

P.S. Highlighting part of a formula and pressing F9 shows what that part of the formula equates to. This is perfect for trying to discover where a formula is giving an error.

CA_PUNIT_AGARWAL

Copper Contributor

Dec 03, 2019

When I copy and paste your formula, I get the result as 14.3696 Please elaborate

simmo81154
Copper Contributor
Dec 03, 2019
thanks, I have it working now
PReagan
Bronze Contributor
Dec 03, 2019
CA_PUNIT_AGARWAL

I assume cell F39 is empty when you pasted the formula. If so, then the formula evaluates to:
=14.3696*(1-(6.8754*10^5*0))^5.2559
=14.3696*(1)^5.2559
=14.3696*1
=14.3696
- simmo81154
  Copper Contributor
  Dec 03, 2019
  thanks I have it working now
- CA_PUNIT_AGARWAL
  Copper Contributor
  Dec 03, 2019
  PReagan
  
  Please use F9, Evaluate formula.
  If you use -1^5.2559 it shows Error in Excel
  
  However if you use Calculator in google, it shows -1
  
  Have to check.
  - PReagan
    Bronze Contributor
    Dec 03, 2019
    CA_PUNIT_AGARWAL
    
    Just to reiterate the point that SergeiBaklan made:
    Excel
    If you enter "-1^5.2559" into Excel, then Excel properly treats this as:
    =(-1)^5.2559.
    =[(-1)^5]*[(-1)^0.2559]
    =[-1]*[imaginary number]
    =imaginary number
    
    Google
    If you enter "-1^5.2559" into Google, then Google improperly treats this as:
    =-(1^5.2559).
    =-[(1^5)*(1^0.2559)]
    =-[1*1]
    =-1