Microsoft KB Archive/115796

{|
 * width="100%"|

Excel: FACT and Functions Using Factorials Return #NUM!

 * }

-

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0, 5.0c
 * Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.x, 3.0
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 2.2, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 5.0a

-

SUMMARY
In Microsoft Excel, you will receive a #NUM! error if you do either of the following:


 * Use the FACT function with an argument that exceeds 170
 * Use any function that computes the factorial of a number that exceeds 170

MORE INFORMATION
The factorial of a number is equal to the value of this sequence:

  factorial = 1 * 2 * 3 * 4 * .... * number The number must be an integer greater than or equal to zero.

The error occurs because the maximum number that can be computed by Microsoft Excel is 9.9999E+307. The factorial of 170 is 7.2574E+306: this number can be properly computed by Microsoft Excel.

However, the factorial of 171 is greater than the maximum number that Microsoft Excel can compute; therefore, if you attempt to compute the factorial of 171, you will receive a #NUM! error value.

Also, any function that computes a factorial as part of its computations will likewise result in a #NUM! error if the number whose factorial is being taken exceeds 170.

Functions in Microsoft Excel that use a factorial include (but are not limited to) the following:

  Function        Argument(s) for which factorial is computed ---  COMBIN        number, number_chosen, number - number_chosen FACT         number FACTDOUBLE   number (limit is 300: 301 or more causes #NUM!) MULTINOMIAL  a + b + c, a, b, c   PERMUT        number, number - number_chosen POISSON      x In the above functions,if the argument (or combination of arguments) shown exceeds 170, the function will return a #NUM! error. Any calculations or formulas that reference the function in question will also return a #NUM! error.

For example, this formula will return a #NUM! error

  =MULTINOMIAL(2,3,166) because the factorial of the sum of a, b, and c (2 + 3 + 166 = 171) cannot be computed.

Additional query words: 3.00a 4.00a 5.00a 5.00c 7.00a

Keywords :

Version : 2.x 3.00 4.00 4.00a 5.00 5.00c 7

Platform : WINDOWS

Issue type :

Technology :