Odd Formula Wondering If Someone Understands It

[MikeShoe]

Hello,

I am taking over a spreadsheet that someone else created, and I came across the following formula:

IF(D71<0/C71<0,-(D71/C71),IF(C71<0/D71>0,-(D71/C71),D71/C71))

I understand what the person was attempting to resolve, however I am just curious what the portion of IF(D71<0/C71<0 means? To me this is a part of what should have been an AND or OR statement, but would like to know if someone can translate it?

Thank you in advance for your help!

~Mike

 

[steve the fish]

I dont think that part can produce anything other than FALSE or an error. Assuming C71 and D71 are numeric then:

=IF(D71<0/C71<0
=IF(D71<0<0
=IF(FALSE<0 or =IF(TRUE<0 both produce FALSE.

 

[steve the fish]

Looking at it looks like just need

=ABS(D1/C1)

 

[MikeShoe]

Looking at it looks like just need

=ABS(D1/C1)

Yes this is the correct resolution. I was simply wondering what it was that was being attempted previously. It did not produce an error, but produced incorrect results.

 

[Dave Patton]

try using Formula Evaluate
What result do you require?

T202110a.xlsm
	C	D	E	F
70
71	-5	-10	-2	-2
72
4c

Cell Formulas
Range	Formula
E71	E71	=IF(D71<0/C71<0,-(D71/C71),IF(C71<0/D71>0,-(D71/C71),D71/C71))
F71	F71	=IF(AND(C71<0,D71<0),-(D71/C71),ABS(D71/C71))

T202110a.xlsm
	C	D	E	F	G
71	-5	-10	-2	-2	2
72	5	-10	2	2	2
73
4c

Cell Formulas
Range	Formula
E71:E72	E71	=IF(D71<0/C71<0,-(D71/C71),IF(C71<0/D71>0,-(D71/C71),D71/C71))
F71:F72	F71	=IF(AND(C71<0,D71<0),-(D71/C71),ABS(D71/C71))
G71:G72	G71	=ABS(D71/C71)