Open Radar

 
Summary:
Some values, such as 2.22222222222222E17, display correctly in Scientific mode, but incorrectly (by a factor of 10^16) in Basic mode.

Steps to Reproduce:
I prefer entering values with the keyboard, so that is how I will be notating it, but it works with onscreen key-presses as well. The number is arbitrary - any number with enough significant figures will suffice. The sequence I present here is just a convenient way to enter a number that will reproduce this bug.
1. Open Calculator.app.
2. Make sure you are not in RPN mode.
3. Enter Basic mode with Command-1.
4. Make sure the calculator is cleared
5. Enter the following value: 2.222222222222222222 (18 2s after the decimal point).
6. Multiply by typing * (star).
7. Enter 10.
8. Type ^ to raise the 10 to a power.
9. Enter 17 as the power.
10. Press Return to finish the calculation.
That calculation one one line, as copied from the Paper Tape window, is: 2.2222222222222222 * pow(10,17) = 2.222222222222222E17

Expected Results:
The value 2.222222222222222E17 appears on the calculator's onscreen LCD. If the full expansion can't fit, the values after the decimal place are truncated.

Actual Results:
The value 2.22222222222222E1 appears on the screen. This is equivalent to 2.22222222222222 * 10 ^ 1, or 2.22222222222222. This is incorrect by a factor of 10^16, which in the words of Richard Dawkins regarding the creationist estimate of the age of the earth, "is not a trivial error."

If you type Command-2 to switch to Scientific mode, you will see that the correct exponent is 17, not 1. Switch back to Basic mode with Command-1, and the 7 is truncated again.

Version:
OS X 10.9.1 (13B3116)
10.8 (123)

Notes:


Configuration:
Tested on Retina and non-Retina screens.

Attachments: