T-SQL EXP Function Return different results for SQL2012 to SQL2005

Hi,

Here's what I get on exp(0.0267329893588985) - 1 with Windows 7 calculator

0,02709352124749775420561

Here's the display from a high precision calculator online http://ift.tt/1n5BJnP

0,0270935212474977542056098047663

As you may see, Casio calculator online and Windows 7 calculator give consistent results up to the 1E-22

Here's what get with EXP() function on Excel 2010 SP3

0,0270935212474979

Here's what I get using Taylor series on Excel 2010 SP3

0,0270935212474976

So, both SQL 2005 and SQL 2012 provide similar precision : 1E-16.

SQL 2005 gives a result 1E-16 below the "correct" (?) result, while SQL 2012 result is above.

As you may know, it's impossible to give an exact answer to EXP(x), and I assumed (naively?) that both

Windows 7 calculator and Casio Online gave accurate answers to 22 digits.

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Sebastian Sajaroff Senior DBA Pharmacies Jean Coutu