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Thread: How Java handles float ?

  1. #1
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    Question How Java handles float ?

    Hi,

    I have been with Java for 6 months, yet I got this doubt from a friend... I am posting on behalf of her...

    Going directly to the code:

    System.out.println(1e-12==Math.pow(10,-12));
    System.out.println(1e-5==Math.pow(10,-5));

    O/P for the lines of code is:
    true
    false

    I tried:
    System.out.println(1e-12);
    System.out.println(1e-5);
    System.out.println(Math.pow(10,-5));
    System.out.println((float)Math.pow(10,-5));

    O/P
    1.0E-12
    1.0E-5
    9.999999999999999E-6
    1.0E-5


    Question is,
    I don't know why the O/P of "Math.pow(10,-5)" was "9.999999999999999E-6" but when it was cast into float, it became to "1.0E-5"?

    Moreover, it's stranger that, the result of
    System.out.println(Math.pow(10,-4)); and System.out.println(Math.pow(10,-6)); are natural, only "Math.pow(10,-5)" has an approximate result? Why?


  2. #2
    Super Moderator Norm's Avatar
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    Default Re: How Java handles float ?

    One of the problems with floating point math in a binary world.
    I've seen a nice description of the problem but don't have a link to it.
    Ask a search engine about problems programming with floating point
    If you don't understand my answer, don't ignore it, ask a question.

  3. #3
    Super Moderator pbrockway2's Avatar
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    Default Re: How Java handles float ?

    What Every Computer Scientist Should Know About Floating-Point Arithmetic

    Not only numeric quantities expressed in a binary format, but any formal system trying to name (distinguish) an infinite number of things is going to strike a problem sooner or later. Java tries to implement a common standard across its various platforms - successfully as far as I know.

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to pbrockway2 For This Useful Post:

    Norm (April 27th, 2013)

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