Float

Definition

A float, or floating-point number, is a data type that represents numbers with a fractional part. It uses a formulaic representation of a real number in a way that supports a wide range of values.

Why It Matters

Floats are essential for any calculation that requires decimal precision, such as scientific calculations, financial analysis, graphics, and measurements.

Contextual Example

In a financial application, a stock price like `150.75` would be stored as a float. Calculating the total value of 10 shares would involve floating-point arithmetic.

Common Misunderstandings

• Floating-point arithmetic is not always exact due to how numbers are stored in binary. This can lead to small rounding errors (e.g., 0.1 + 0.2 might not equal exactly 0.3).
• There are different precision levels, such as single-precision (float) and double-precision (double), which use more bits for greater accuracy.

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