How can an Oracle NUMBER have a Scale larger than the Precision?

Question

The documentation states: \"Precision can range from 1 to 38. Scale can range from -84 to 127\".

How can the scale be larger than the precision? Shouldn\'t the Scal

Answer 1

The case where Scale is larger than Precision could be summarized this way:

Number of digits on the right of decimal point = Scale

Minimum number of zeroes right of decimal = Scale - Precision

--this will work 
select cast(0.123456 as number(5,5)) from dual;

returns 0.12346

-- but this
select cast(0.123456 as number(2,5)) from dual;
--will return "ORA-1438 value too large".  
--It will not return err with at least 5-2 = 3 zeroes:
select cast(0.000123456 as number(2,5)) from dual;

returns 0.00012

-- and of course this will work too
select cast(0.0000123456 as number(2,5)) from dual;

returning 0.00001