Why is this not working?

[KentuckyGal]

I have a simple formula that is not working and I can't figure out why:

Cell A1=10.66

Cell B1=675.34
Cell B2=664.68
CellB3=B1 minus B2 (10.66)

In Cell C3 I have a simple formula asking to compare A1 to B3, if they are the same value, say YES, if they are not the same value say NO.

here is the formula in cell C3: =IF(A1=B3,"yes","no")

Since both values are 10.66, the reults should say YES, but I keep getting NO and I can't figure out why this is not working. I've tried tinkering with the formatting of the cells, they are set up as numbers. Can anyone help? I am out of ideas.
Thanks,
Kentucky Gal

 

[Richard Schollar]

Hi

When using decimal values you really need to round the values before comparison (otherwise Excel's limited precision may come into play) so you should write your formula as:

=IF(ROUND(A1-B3,2)=0,"yes","no")

 

[VoG]

It may be a floating arithmetic precision error. Try

=IF(ROUND(A1,5)=ROUND(B3,5),"yes","no")

 

[Willem!]

For further understanding why this is happening, check out this site:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/78113

 

[KentuckyGal]

Problem solved, thanks to all, I will learn more about rounding. Have a good one!
Thanks,
Kentucky Gal