Excel returns a number that is different from calculator

[C Holmes]

I have a very simple spreadsheet that multiplies on number by another and then takes that number and multiplies by another (tax) The answer it returns is always off by a few cents or more then if I use a calculator. I think it has something to do with rounding off but not sure. The formula is simply =18.48*1.5*1.17 that answer is then multiplied by another number. The answer is always off.


422.5 hr =16.72*1.17 =+C27*E27


C is the 422.5
E is the 16.72*1.17

[Ace_XL]

Is the result off by a few decimals only?

this link might help..

http://www.cpearson.com/excel/rounding.htm

[C Holmes]

depending on the size of the figures we use it can be off by $1.00 or so, I read the link, there must be a way to correct this in the formula somewhere. I have never run across this before.

[Norie]

What exactly are you calculating?

What result to do you get from the calculator and what do you get from Excel?

Can you attach a sample workbook?

[C Holmes]

I will do just that.
Book1.xlsx


Not sure I have done it right.

[shg]

Change the formula in G7 to =ROUND(16.72*1.17, 2)

[Ace_XL]

The excel version is more accurate (i.e. upto more decimals)

In Col G..On the calculator you seem to have gone with
16.72*1.17 = 19.56
The actual rseult upto 4 decimals is 19.5624

Similarly 29.34 is actually 29.3436

I would go with the Excel calculation

alternatively you could round results at every stage by using the ROUND function

[shg]

It's not just that; at the point where a price appears, people have the reasonable expectation that it is exact as shown, with no fractional dollar or cents beyond what appears.

[C Holmes]

That works! Thanks, how do I mark this solved? And thanks of course

[C Holmes]

well trouble is when it is sent back to whomever wants it, they check with a calculator, then the spreadsheet appears to be wrong. The calc gives a different number. So the goal is to have it the same as the calculator I guess