Odd(0)=1

remus

Havent done a lot of testing, but it seems to be that:

odd(0)=1 and even(0)=0

Im pretty sure this is wrong, as an even number is defined as any number that can be expressed in terms of 2k=number.

scottlininger

Hey Remus,

I had the exact same reaction when I saw that pattern... but both Google Spreadsheets and Excel agree that odd(0)=1 and even(0)=0. So that's what DCs do, too.

Go figure.

remus

Isnt it just plain wrong though? I cant see a lot of point in reproducing it if theres not a good reason.

scottlininger

It's important that DCs follow the standards, even goofy ones. A formula should work exactly the same way in spreadsheet X as it does inside SU, or you couldn't interoperate with spreadsheet X.

All that being said, my brain totally thinks of 0 as an even number.

thomthom

hm... not actually thought if that. First instinct would be even, as it's between 1 and -1 which is odd, but thinking mroe, isn't it none of them? since 0 is a representation of nothing? (goofy standards aside)

thomthom

Well, now you got my brain ticking on this... Had to look more into this. Searching Google for an answer hasn't helped much. One of the links I came across: http://ask.yahoo.com/20020909.html

remus

Im sticking with even, i like the nice simple definition

chrisglasier

What's infinity then ...

Gaieus

That's even, too. Two times half infinity (which in itself is equal to infinity, too).

chrisglasier

The problem I think is that both zero and infinity can be considered either since the first (odd) index number of an array is always 0. In US and China the ground floor is 1 but its datum is 0 (NB "ground zero"). In these types of situations it can cause some problems.

Un morceau de pas de quoi

Chris

remus

Nothing like resurrecting an old thread, but i found a rather in depth wikipedia article on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evenness_of_zero and most importantly it supports my original point

And infinity isnt a number, so trying to work out if its odd or even is like trying to work out if a haddock is odd or even

Chris Fullmer

I'm just trying to work out what a haddock is...(crazy Brittish english