@Override
  public boolean equals(final Object obj)
  {
	if (obj == this)
	{
	  return true;
	}
	if (PreciseDecimal.class.isInstance(obj))
	{
	  final PreciseDecimal other = (PreciseDecimal) obj;
	  return this.base == other.base && this.factor == other.factor;
	}
	else
	{
	  return false;
	}
  }