Converting between varchar and float when updating

[Thomas Larsen Wessel <mrvelle@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have a table with the following schema:
CREATE TABLE foo (bar VARCHAR(32));

Every bar value has a format like a float, e.g. "2.5". Now I want that value multiplied by two and saved again as varchar. I was hoping to do smth like:

UPDATE foo SET bar = TO_VARCHAR( TO_FLOAT(bar) * 2); -- INCORRECT!!!!

How is that done?

I know that the bar attribute ought to have type FLOAT, but I have to work with this legacy database. And anyway this table will rarely be updated. 

Sincerely, Thomas