{
  "id": 5638167,
  "title": "Break-even is not a profit, and my calculator said it was",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/break-even-is-not-a-profit-and-my-calculator-said-it-was",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-04T20:35:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/hammad4june1999/break-even-is-not-a-profit-and-my-calculator-said-it-was-pha"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The source material discusses a calculator used to analyze mortgage refinancing options. The calculator incorrectly labeled the result of break-even as a profit, showing \"ROI Profit 0.00\" in green, even when no real profit was made. Out of eight comparisons made by the calculator regarding financial scenarios, only one accurately identified a break-even situation as such, without any coloration. The calculator failed to provide a clear indication for this null result, instead opting for a neutral grey label that lacked any distinguishing color. This oversight led to confusion, as the reader had no visual cue to differentiate a true break-even outcome from merely a pure zero value, which could have been mistaken for a saving or cost. To address this issue, it was proposed to introduce a dedicated \"neutral\" category for null results, presented in a grey color. This change would clearly signal to users that the result was not a profit or a loss, but rather an absence of any financial gain or loss, thereby improving the transparency and accuracy of the calculator's output.",
  "summary": "Refinance a 200,000 mortgage. Current rate 7%, 300 months left. New rate: 7%. New term: 25 years. Closing costs: 4,000. That is not a refinance. It is the loan you already have, plus a bill for four thousand. My calculator, in green: Save $0.00/mo The number is right. The word is not. One ternary, three answers tag : monthlySave >= 0 ? { text : ' Save ' + fmt ( monthlySave , 2 ) + ' /mo ' , level…",
  "key_points": [
    "Calculator labeled break-even as profit",
    "Only one out of eight comparisons correct",
    "Proposed neutral category for null results"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}