Cats function giving different results

[rsunkara]

I have no idea how this happen. Can anyone explain this?

x = cats(88.2 - 102.8) gives me -14.5999999999

where as y = cats(88.1 - 102.7) gives me -14.6

Data test;

  x = cats(88.2 - 102.8);

  y = cats(88.1 - 102.7);

  put x = y = ;

run;

[jakarman · Accepted solution]

http://support.sas.com/techsup/technote/ts654.pdf   welcome in the digital age, please try the understand bytes and bits 

[data_null__]

We might ask why are you doing that?  Also look up CATS function regarding how it converts numeric to character.

data _null_;
   length x y 8;
   x = 88.2 - 102.8;
   y = 88.1 - 102.7;
   d = x - y;
   put 'NOTE: ' x best32. +3 x hex16. +3 x;
   put 'NOTE: ' y best32. +3 y hex16. +3 y;
   put 'NOTE: ' d best32. +3 d hex16. +3 d;
   run;

NOTE:                -14.5999999999999   C02D333333333330   -14.6
NOTE:                            -14.6   C02D333333333338   -14.6
NOTE:              1.4210854715202E-14   3D10000000000000   1.421085E-14