Faq/Calc/116

When I calculate, LibreOffice calculates . Why?
When you enter a formula of the type: = - 10^2 the sign   is not seen as a subtraction symbol, but as the sign that number  is negative. Thus LibreOffice interprets the formula: = (-10)^2 The result seems false from the mathematical point of view: in terms of the priority of operators, raising to a power should be done before subtraction. LibO seems to do the opposite. The reason is that for LibO, subtraction is a binary operation, which needs two values, one to the left and one to the right. If there is only one value to the right, the minus sign is a unitary operator which then takes priority. To avoid all ambiguïty, it is recommended to use parentheses: = - (10^2) or to use the power function: = - POWER(10;2) Debates dealing with the opportunity of correcting this bug can be found at.