Can't be, -(7-2) is negative in anybody's math, -(2-7) is positive.

--
HTH

Bob Phillips

"Linda" wrote in message
...
Hi Bob,

I did try that, but all results are negative.

Thanks.
Linda

"Bob Phillips" wrote:

Okay, so why not just use

=-(A1-B1)

where A1 and B1 hold the 2 numbers.

--
HTH

Bob Phillips

"Linda" wrote in message
...
Hi Bob,
Yes, regardless of the true sign, but there should not be any
occurances
of
positive-negative or negative-positive.

To answer the why...I am comparing the actual amount either discounted
or
paid vs. amount that should have been discounted or paid and the
difference
to display as we are owed or we owe.

Thanks
Linda

"Bob Phillips" wrote:

So positive - positive is negative (regardless of true sign)?

And negative - negative is positive (regardless of true sign)?

What about positive - negative and negative - positive?

And why?

--
HTH

Bob Phillips

"Linda" wrote in message
...
I am trying to do some calculate differences between results in
columns
containing a mix of negative or postive numbers. I can't seem to
write
the
formula to display the results that are expected.

So far....I get the correct answer but all are postive results,
and I
can
add the minus sign, but then get only negative results. When
summing
the
answer columns results...then the difference is inflated.

For example: (0.33)-(0.37)=0.04 and 12.28-9.72=(2.56)

I would like the formula to take a negative number subtract
another
negative
number and display the result as a positive AND the same formula
to
take a
positive number and subtract another postive number and display
the
result
as
negative.

Thanks for your help.
--
Linda