arithmetic overflow
nounUK /ˌærɪθˈmetɪk ˈəʊvəfləʊ/
US /ˌærɪθˈmetɪk ˈoʊvərfloʊ/
A computer mistake that happens when a number gets too big for the space it has.
The game crashed because of an arithmetic overflow when the score got too high.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In math, when a calculation gives a result larger than the allowed range.
Adding the two largest values caused an arithmetic overflow in the calculator.
3. A general term for any situation where too much data fills a limited space.
The buffer had an arithmetic overflow and lost some of the numbers.
4. A programming error that can make a value wrap around to a small or negative number.
The counter showed a negative number after an arithmetic overflow.