BUG: Arithmetic Overflow Error when Using the Power() Function (231159)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 Service Pack 5a

This article was previously published under Q231159

BUG #: 18720 (SQLBUG_65)

SYMPTOMS

When a Power() function operates on an integer value within a multiplication or division statement, if that statement also contains a floating point value, the following error message occurs:

Arithmetic overflow occurred.

For example, the following query statement returns the error message:

select 9520.00 / power(2,4)

WORKAROUND

Replace the integer value inside of the Power() function with a numeric value. For example:
```
select 9520.00 / power(2.0,4)
						
```
-or-
Use a local variable to store the result of the power function and then use the local variable in the multiplication or division statement. For example:
```
declare @val float
select @val = power(2,4)
select 9520.00 / @val
						
```

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server 6.5 Service Pack 5a.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	10/3/2003
Keywords:	kbBug kbpending KB231159