OLPC-Calculate Activity – Inverse value of zero is getting unexpected error message.

[Niranjala80]

Description:
Press on zero (0).
Click on inverse option.
Click on enter.
It display “Error at 4: 0.0 cannot be raised to a negative power”
But this should be infinite (∞)

Steps to recreate the defect:

1. Power on OLPC
2. Click on the calculate icon on home page.
3. Click on Algebra tab.
4. Place the cursor on entry box.
5. Press zero.
6. Click on Inverse option.
7. Click on Entry button.
8. Verify the result displayed on the right side box.

Actual Result:

User gets an error message mentioning, “Error at 4: 0.0 cannot be raised to a negative power”.

Expected Result:

User should get the value as infinite (∞).

Tested Environment:

OS build: 802b5
Machine type: XO1
Firmware: Q2E41
Security disable: Yes
Sugar version: 0.82.1
Activity Version: 30

OS build: OS13
Machine type: XO1
Firmware: Q2E42
Security disable: Yes
Sugar version: 0.84.14
Activity Version: 30

OS build: OS116
Machine type: XO1.5
Firmware: Q3A35
Security disable: Yes
Sugar version: 0.84.14
Activity Version: 30

[quozl]

I agree, the activity could make a reasonable attempt to express division by zero as infinite result without precision.

The activity is currently designed to render this result as an error; it is working correctly. So I'm changing this ticket to an enhancement.

I think we would welcome pedagogical input from a teacher in math, on how infinity should be rendered.

[garycmartin]

I get an "E" or an "Over Flow" error message on most of the calculators I've tested here. Calculate "0.0 cannot be raised to a negative power", seems a pretty accurate error message. Leaving the ticket open for now, in case there is a strong pedagogical need for representing infinity.

[garycmartin]

Closing now as notabug. If you feel strongly about this, please do reopen and add more information.