[Numpy-discussion] Precision in Python

[Charles R Harris]

On 11/27/06, Elton Mendes <emgmendes at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi.
> I'm having a precision problem in python
>
> Example:
>
>
> >>> a = 5.14343434
> >>> b = round(a,1)
> >>> b
> 5.0999999999999996
> >>>
>
> It´s possible to round the number exactly to 5.1


Short answer, no. The number 5.1 can't be exactly represented as a binary
fraction, i.e., it can't be expressed in the form int/power_of_two. If all
you are worried about is appearance, then the print routine will round it to
5.1 if you restrict the precision of the output.

Chuck
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