Not a Number (NaN)

The text NaN (for Not a Number) is a symbolic text representation of a numeric value that was not computed because the computation was invalid or outside the range of numbered handled by the system.

For example, these computations can result in the NaN value:

• Dividing a number by zero, or by a small value close to zero
• Attempting to compute the square root of a negative number

In many cases, this indicates an error in the design or implementation, that inputs may have values not expected or not properly edited.

The Performance tool display may contain the NaN symbol in rare cases involving division.

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