Excel: FACT() and Functions Using Factorials Return #NUM!Last reviewed: March 27, 1997Article ID: Q115796 |
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WINDOWS | OS/2 | MACINTOSHThe information in this article applies to:
SUMMARYIn 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
-or-- Use any function that computes the factorial of a number that exceeds 170 MORE INFORMATIONThe factorial of a number is equal to the value of this sequence:
factorial = 1 * 2 * 3 * 4 * .... * numberThe 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() xIn 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.
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