Masa

In the Max tutorial 3, why does '22 33.9 -5 -44.2' output 'list: 22 33.900002 -5 -44.200001', rather than 'list: 22 33.900000 -5 -44.200000'?

inaccurate-floating-numbers-in-max-basic-tutorial-3-numbers-and-lists

Floating point numbers cannot represent every number accuracy due to how they are implemented and the limitations of how many bits are available for storing the number.

http://www.h-schmidt.net/FloatConverter/IEEE754.html

I'm assuming you're running the 32-bit version? If you start up the 64-bit version and run the same test it should be fine as it has 64-bits to represent the number instead of 32.

Floating point numbers cannot represent every number accuracy due to how they are implemented and the limitations of how many bits are available for storing the number. 

Have a play with http://www.h-schmidt.net/FloatConverter/IEEE754.html - type in 33.9 and see how it comes out

I'm assuming you're running the 32-bit version? If you start up the 64-bit version and run the same test it should be fine as it has 64-bits to represent the number instead of 32.


this site shows you both the 32- and 64-bit representations

http://babbage.cs.qc.cuny.edu/IEEE-754.old/Decimal.html

Thank you very much for your prompt replies.

Now I understand the reason and solution.

Do you recommend me to just ignore the subtle inaccuracy when working on the 32-bit version? I usually use the 32-bit version mainly for Jitter objects.

Thank you very much for your prompt replies.
Now I understand the reason and solution.
Do you recommend me to just ignore the subtle inaccuracy when working on the 32-bit version? I usually use the 32-bit version mainly for Jitter objects.


It's not really an "inaccuracy." The values are as close as you can get. The 64-bit values aren't exact, either, you just won't see the discrepancy when printing six significant digits, but try printing 18 digits and dig it.

If it's any help, try writing 1/3 as a decimal fraction.

Ignore it. Better still, get used to it. 

If it's any help, try writing 1/3 as a decimal fraction.


I see. Thank you very much for your kind explanation.

Inaccurate floating numbers in 'Max Basic Tutorial 3: Numbers and Lists'