Formula - Subtracting Negative Numbers

[luvtitans50]

I am stuck on this formula:

Total = columna - columnb (when b is a negative number it adds the 2 and the results come out incorrect)?

How can I get around this?

Thanks!!

 

[r937]

total = columna - ABS(columnb)

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[luvtitans50]

Thanks!!!

 

[SQLSister]

I would point out that when b is a negative number adding the two is exactly the right answer mathmatically.

For instance, suppose you have cost records of some type and one record has a value of 165.00. When you later realize this was a mistake and want to zero it out, you put in a value of -165.00 effectively making the total 0. This is simply the way math works.

Rudy's answer gives you the absolute value (the value of the number without the sign) and it is appropriate for some uses but most of the time you want the normal workings of math to happen. Do no use ABS unless you understand why you are using it.

"NOTHING is more important in a database than integrity." ESquared