Floating Point Numbers Flashcards
1
Q
what are floating point numbers
A
location of the decimal point moves around
2
Q
why are floating points needed
A
computer memory is limited, you cannot store numbers with infinite precision
3
Q
what are the two parts to a floating point number
A
- significant - contains the numbers digits
exponent - where the deciomal point is placed relative to the beginning of the number
4
Q
give 2 limitaions of floating point numbers and explain them
A
- overflow - the results of a calculation is a number that is too large to store
- underflow - floating point calculation can produce a result that is so close to zero that the closest possible representation is zero
5
Q
what is absolute error
A
expected value - value you got
6
Q
what is relative error
A
absolute error / actual value
7
Q
A
