/-sign in formulas

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Level 1

4 points

/-sign in formulas

When entering the /-sign (divide) in a formula, Numbers displays the +-sign (add). Numbers actually makes the divide but it is confusing.

Anybody that experience the same behavior?

Posted on Mar 15, 2023 4:00 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ralf-F

Level 4

2,717 points

Mar 15, 2023 4:16 AM in response to GA61sw

Hi GA61sw,

I know it is confusing but it is not really the +, even it is very difficult to see.

Numbers is using the third sign from this picture.

Regards Ralf

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Answer 2

Badunit

Level 7

28,216 points

Mar 15, 2023 5:36 AM in response to GA61sw

It was a stupid design choice. The / symbol is universally recognized and universally used in the computing community and pretty much everywhere else and is easily distinguished from the +, whereas the ÷ is easily mistaken for +, especially at the small font size used. In addition (no pun intended), the ÷ symbol does not appear on the keyboard and cannot be typed so we still type the standard / symbol only to see it get changed on screen into what looks like a + for no discernible reason. Stupid stupid stupid.

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Answer 3

GA61sw Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 15, 2023 4:45 AM in response to Ralf-F

Thanks for the reply. Now I understand. Obviously my screen resolution is too low (2560x1440, 24 inch). Unfortunately I can't go higher in resolution but now I understand what's going on.

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/-sign in formulas

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