Sort Not Handling Negative Numbers Correctly

[Alan Northam]

In the table in my database I have a column of numbers ranging from -3.3 to 7.1. When I sort the column using (SELECT * FROM mytable ORDER BY mytable;) the column gets sorted as follows: -1.9, -3.3, 1.7, 2.2, 7.1 I streamlined the list as there are actually over 500 numbers between -3.3 and 7.1. The problem I am having is that when I SORT mysql is recognizing -1.9 as a smaller number than -3.3.

When I try to find the minimum number in the column using (SELECT MIN(mycolumn) FROM mytable;) mysql also displays -1.9 as the minimum number.

Is this a known problem with mysql or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks for your help in advance,
Alan

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