Arvi, I do acknowledge that they are separate operators. The expression are
evaluated correctly according to the precedence established by the
programmers. What I'm saying is that the programmer interpreted the specs
regarding negation incorrectly.
The negation should be given priority only if it is in parenthesis, and not
when it is out of parenthesis. That's the only way to keep the rule of
commutativity working.


"Arvi Laanemets" wrote:

Hi

Even when you refuse acknowledge sign and power as separate operators, you
can deduce them only to multiplying operator. So when you have an equation
=-A1^4, then you have a sequence of multiplying class operators, which are
all same weigth and are processed in order from left to right. In formula
=1-A1^4 you have a substraction operator ad an operator of multiplying
class, the later is processed first. It looks like you missed some lessons
in elemantary school math :-))))


--
Arvi Laanemets
( My real mail address: arvi.laanemets<attarkon.ee )



"Giovanni Ciriani" wrote in
message ...
Then let me ask you a question. Why should -A1^4-1 evaluate to a different
number than 1-A4^4 ? (-255 vs 257 for A1 equal to -4).

This striking difference goes counter the rule of commutativity additions
established several centuries ago (if not millenia): the order of the
number
being added should not change the result of an addition.

"Arvi Laanemets" wrote:

Hi

Rewrite the equation as
=((-1)*(-4))*((-1)*(-4))*((-1)*(-4))*((-1)*(-4))

What do you get as result?

Maybe you wanted
=-(A1^4)


Arvi Laanemets


"Giovanni Ciriani" <Giovanni wrote in
message ...
A1 contains -4.
B1 contains the expression -A1^4
The result is supposed to be -256, but instead it is 256.

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