ksound

I think I've gone crazy. I'm quite sure that 100 * .01 = 1. Shouldn't the following patch have the same answer in all the number boxes? Has this issue been discussed before? I can't find anything on it.

"defrect" : [ 270.0, 423.0, 640.0, 506.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 495.0, 256.0, 28.0, 17.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 417.0, 254.0, 32.5, 17.0 ],

"presentation_rect" : [ 417.0, 276.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],

"bordercolor" : [ 0.87451, 0.25098, 0.717647, 1.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 417.0, 276.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],

"presentation_rect" : [ 362.0, 274.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 68.0, 274.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 68.0, 193.0, 32.5, 17.0 ],

"presentation_rect" : [ 358.0, 137.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 351.0, 112.0, 32.5, 15.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 290.0, 112.0, 32.5, 15.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 223.0, 112.0, 32.5, 15.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 256.0, 275.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 253.0, 186.0, 34.0, 17.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 188.0, 274.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 332.0, 275.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 253.0, 157.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],

"midpoints" : [ 197.5, 294.0, 248.5, 294.0, 248.5, 271.0, 265.5, 271.0 ]

I think I've gone crazy.  I'm quite sure that 100 * .01 = 1.  Shouldn't the following patch have the same answer in all the number boxes?  Has this issue been discussed before?  I can't find anything on it.
{
    "patcher" :     {
        "fileversion" : 1,
        "rect" : [ 270.0, 423.0, 640.0, 506.0 ],
        "bglocked" : 0,
        "defrect" : [ 270.0, 423.0, 640.0, 506.0 ],
        "openrect" : [ 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],
        "openinpresentation" : 0,
        "default_fontsize" : 9.0,
        "default_fontface" : 0,
        "default_fontname" : "Arial",
        "gridonopen" : 0,
        "gridsize" : [ 15.0, 15.0 ],
        "gridsnaponopen" : 0,
        "toolbarvisible" : 1,
        "boxanimatetime" : 200,
        "imprint" : 0,
        "boxes" : [             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "newobj",
                    "text" : "print",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 495.0, 256.0, 28.0, 17.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 0,
                    "id" : "obj-13",
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "newobj",
                    "text" : "f",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 417.0, 254.0, 32.5, 17.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "id" : "obj-12",
                    "outlettype" : [ "float" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "number",
                    "presentation_rect" : [ 417.0, 276.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],
                    "bordercolor" : [ 0.87451, 0.25098, 0.717647, 1.0 ],
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 417.0, 276.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "id" : "obj-11",
                    "outlettype" : [ "int", "bang" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "number",
                    "presentation_rect" : [ 362.0, 274.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 68.0, 274.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "id" : "obj-10",
                    "outlettype" : [ "int", "bang" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "newobj",
                    "text" : "/ 100",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 68.0, 193.0, 32.5, 17.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "id" : "obj-9",
                    "outlettype" : [ "int" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "message",
                    "text" : "101",
                    "presentation_rect" : [ 358.0, 137.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 351.0, 112.0, 32.5, 15.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "id" : "obj-8",
                    "outlettype" : [ "" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "message",
                    "text" : "100",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 290.0, 112.0, 32.5, 15.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "id" : "obj-7",
                    "outlettype" : [ "" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "message",
                    "text" : "99",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 223.0, 112.0, 32.5, 15.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "id" : "obj-6",
                    "outlettype" : [ "" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "number",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 256.0, 275.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "id" : "obj-5",
                    "outlettype" : [ "int", "bang" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "newobj",
                    "text" : "* 0.01",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 253.0, 186.0, 34.0, 17.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "id" : "obj-4",
                    "outlettype" : [ "float" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "flonum",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 188.0, 274.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "id" : "obj-3",
                    "outlettype" : [ "float", "bang" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "number",
                    "bordercolor" : [ 0.87451, 0.25098, 0.717647, 1.0 ],
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 332.0, 275.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "id" : "obj-2",
                    "outlettype" : [ "int", "bang" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "number",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 253.0, 157.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "id" : "obj-1",
                    "outlettype" : [ "int", "bang" ],
                    "fontname" : "Arial"
                }

            }
 ],
        "lines" : [             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-4", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-13", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-12", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-11", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-4", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-12", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-1", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-9", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-9", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-10", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-8", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-1", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-6", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-1", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-7", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-1", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-3", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-5", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [ 197.5, 294.0, 248.5, 294.0, 248.5, 271.0, 265.5, 271.0 ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-4", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-3", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-4", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-2", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-1", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-4", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

is-max-bad-at-math

You should have a look to the "simple math" tutorial :

"left inlet triggers the calculation, the number in right inlet is stored. numbers are converted to integers before the calculation unless there as an argument with a decimal point".

PS : you can use "copy compressed" to copy and paste patches on the forum.

i've been misreading your post and patch.

Oh. sorry.
i've been misreading your post and patch.
you're right, that's weird.


Thanks for the links. I couldn't find the right search terms to find this stuff. I mainly wanted to know I'm not crazy. I knew that accuracy goes awry when dividing, but all I'm doing here is moving a decimal point.

What baffles me is that even the print object shows the result to be 1.000000. So how does 1.000000 not equal 1? Does the print object round up differently than the number box? I see what the round object does, but it seems that the float number box does the conversion correctly. I wonder what it has that other objects don't.

I've worked around the problem, but I always understood that multiplying is more efficient than dividing. Am I wrong here?

Thanks for the links.  I couldn't find the right search terms to find this stuff.  I mainly wanted to know I'm not crazy.  I knew that accuracy goes awry when dividing, but all I'm doing here is moving a decimal point.

What baffles me is that even the print object shows the result to be 1.000000.  So how does 1.000000 not equal 1? Does the print object round up differently than the number box?  I see what the round object does, but it seems that the float number box does the conversion correctly.  I wonder what it has that other objects don't.

I've worked around the problem, but I always understood that multiplying is more efficient than dividing.  Am I wrong here?


There's a very simple cure; use a float number box. You are the person who generated the number in the first place, so it is up to you to choose an appropriate method to view the result. You expected the int number box to have a specific type of behavior which it apparently doesn't have (wrong or not).

apparently, 100 * 0.01 is 0.9999999776483

i've added some larger numbers to your query patch - nothing's solved but the error is consistent.

could this perhaps be an intel processor problem? i heard they were bad at math back in the day...

apparently, 100 * 0.01 is 0.9999999776483
i've added some larger numbers to your query patch - nothing's solved but the error is consistent.
10000 * 0.1 =?= 99.999998
1000000 * 0.1 =?= 9999.999776
1000000000 * 0.1 = 9999999.776483

the numberbox or [i ] objects do it correct, because truncating

that what 1.000000 actually is (i think 1.000003, i have no max 

here now) gives the same result than truncating and rounding would.

in other words: when [i ] receives "1.000003" it does 

roudning only starts to matter when do you not use what

i would call an "integer float" like "1.000000".

an input stream of numbers like "1.005" and "-2.007" 

will drive you mad when running non-rounded into a numbox 

unfortunately both [print] and [printit] seem to output

"1.000000" for "1.000000", regardless if you have float

no that is true, and important to know for realtime stuff or signals.

Quote:
What baffles me is that even the print object shows the result to be 1.000000.  So how does 1.000000 not equal 1? Does the print object round up differently than the number box?  I see what the round object does, but it seems that the float number box does the conversion correctly.  I wonder what it has that other objects don't.

the numberbox or [i ] objects do it correct, because truncating
that what 1.000000 actually is (i think 1.000003, i have no max 
here now) gives the same result than truncating and rounding would.

in other words: when [i ] receives "1.000003" it does int($f1) already, there is no need to do [round]
which does something like (int($f1-0.5))*($f1=0).

roudning only starts to matter when do you not use what
i would call an "integer float" like "1.000000".
an input stream of numbers like "1.005" and "-2.007" 
will drive you mad when running non-rounded into a numbox 
or int object.

unfortunately both [print] and [printit] seem to output
"1.000000" for "1.000000", regardless if you have float
correction on or off in max4.

Quote:
I've worked around the problem, but I always understood that multiplying is more efficient than dividing.  Am I wrong here?

no that is true, and important to know for realtime stuff or signals.


I kind of follow. But I'm still not clear on why

100 / 1 = 1.00000x , which "int" truncates to 1

100 * .01 = 0.99999x, which "int" truncates to 0

No need to beat a dead horse here. I just started learning objective C. So I suppose I'll learn more about digital math as I delve more into programming.

I kind of follow.  But I'm still not clear on why 

No need to beat a dead horse here.  I just started learning objective C.  So I suppose I'll learn more about digital math as I delve more into programming.

Int doesn't round to the nearest whole number. It just chops off everything after the decimal.

Ah hah. I didn't think of trying larger numbers. At least now I can see what it thinks the answer is. And your guess about the Intel is a good one.

Quote:apparently, 100 * 0.01 is 0.9999999776483
i've added some larger numbers to your query patch - nothing's solved but the error is consistent.

Ah hah.  I didn't think of trying larger numbers.  At least now I can see what it thinks the answer is.  And your guess about the Intel is a good one.


ksound wrote on Sat, 05 September 2009 02:59Quote:

The issue here is about float precision (which I think has been mentioned above, but sorry I haven't read everything in detail). Peter Castine (and others) has posted many times to the list about this (as mentioned), and it's worth getting to know a little about this.

This is nothing to do with Intel processors. It has to do with the limitations of floating point representation. Also to correct Roman above - 1.00000 CAN be represented exactly in floating point - but 0.01 can't. For some more info on this try here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_point#Representable_numbers.2C_conversion_and_rounding

Generally, issues with using floating point only occur in a few special cases - for conversion to int for example, where rounding may be required, depending on the application.

ksound wrote on Sat, 05 September 2009 02:59Quote:apparently, 100 * 0.01 is 0.9999999776483
i've added some larger numbers to your query patch - nothing's solved but the error is consistent.

Ah hah.  I didn't think of trying larger numbers.  At least now I can see what it thinks the answer is.  And your guess about the Intel is a good one. 

Quote:This is nothing to do with Intel processors. It has to do with the limitations of floating point representation. Also to correct Roman above - 1.00000 CAN be represented exactly in floating point - but 0.01 can't. For some more info on this try here:

Bingo. "expr" does the job. Check it out.

"defrect" : [ 309.0, 297.0, 869.0, 526.0 ],

"presentation_rect" : [ 430.0, 112.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 430.0, 112.0, 36.0, 15.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 626.0, 248.0, 48.0, 17.0 ],

"presentation_rect" : [ 561.0, 271.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 564.0, 276.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 564.0, 206.0, 69.0, 17.0 ],

"patching_rect" : [ 478.0, 249.0, 34.0, 17.0 ],

Bingo.  "expr" does the job.  Check it out.

{
    "patcher" :     {
        "fileversion" : 1,
        "rect" : [ 309.0, 297.0, 869.0, 526.0 ],
        "bglocked" : 0,
        "defrect" : [ 309.0, 297.0, 869.0, 526.0 ],
        "openrect" : [ 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],
        "openinpresentation" : 0,
        "default_fontsize" : 9.0,
        "default_fontface" : 0,
        "default_fontname" : "Arial",
        "gridonopen" : 0,
        "gridsize" : [ 15.0, 15.0 ],
        "gridsnaponopen" : 0,
        "toolbarvisible" : 1,
        "boxanimatetime" : 200,
        "imprint" : 0,
        "boxes" : [             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "message",
                    "text" : "10000",
                    "presentation_rect" : [ 430.0, 112.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "outlettype" : [ "" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 430.0, 112.0, 36.0, 15.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-19",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "newobj",
                    "text" : "print expr",
                    "numoutlets" : 0,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 626.0, 248.0, 48.0, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-18",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "number",
                    "presentation_rect" : [ 561.0, 271.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "outlettype" : [ "int", "bang" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 564.0, 276.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-15",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "bordercolor" : [ 0.87451, 0.25098, 0.717647, 1.0 ],
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "newobj",
                    "text" : "expr $f1 * 0.01",
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "outlettype" : [ "" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 564.0, 206.0, 69.0, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-14",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "newobj",
                    "text" : "print *",
                    "numoutlets" : 0,
                    "patching_rect" : [ 478.0, 249.0, 34.0, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-13",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "newobj",
                    "text" : "f",
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "outlettype" : [ "float" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 417.0, 254.0, 32.5, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-12",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "number",
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "outlettype" : [ "int", "bang" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 417.0, 276.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-11",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "bordercolor" : [ 0.87451, 0.25098, 0.717647, 1.0 ],
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "number",
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "outlettype" : [ "int", "bang" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 68.0, 274.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-10",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "newobj",
                    "text" : "/ 100",
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "outlettype" : [ "int" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 68.0, 193.0, 32.5, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-9",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "message",
                    "text" : "101",
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "outlettype" : [ "" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 351.0, 112.0, 32.5, 15.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-8",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "message",
                    "text" : "100",
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "outlettype" : [ "" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 290.0, 112.0, 32.5, 15.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-7",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "message",
                    "text" : "99",
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "outlettype" : [ "" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 223.0, 112.0, 32.5, 15.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-6",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "number",
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "outlettype" : [ "int", "bang" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 256.0, 275.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-5",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "newobj",
                    "text" : "* 0.01",
                    "numoutlets" : 1,
                    "outlettype" : [ "float" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 253.0, 186.0, 34.0, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-4",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 2
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "flonum",
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "outlettype" : [ "float", "bang" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 188.0, 274.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-3",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "number",
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "outlettype" : [ "int", "bang" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 332.0, 275.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-2",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "bordercolor" : [ 0.87451, 0.25098, 0.717647, 1.0 ],
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1
                }

            }
,             {
                "box" :                 {
                    "maxclass" : "number",
                    "numoutlets" : 2,
                    "outlettype" : [ "int", "bang" ],
                    "patching_rect" : [ 253.0, 157.0, 50.0, 17.0 ],
                    "id" : "obj-1",
                    "fontname" : "Arial",
                    "fontsize" : 9.0,
                    "numinlets" : 1
                }

            }
 ],
        "lines" : [             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-19", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-1", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-14", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-18", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-4", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-13", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-1", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-14", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

            }
,             {
                "patchline" :                 {
                    "source" : [ "obj-14", 0 ],
                    "destination" : [ "obj-15", 0 ],
                    "hidden" : 0,
                    "midpoints" : [  ]
                }

ksound wrote on Sat, 05 September 2009 09:10

it is sometimes a bit more, and sometimes a bit less.

for 1.0x and 0.01x it is the comma which makes the difference.

(that is the point where alex had to correct me)

now, back to the original "problem" and how to solve it: 

with the knowledge ofthe accuracy limit, which is responsible

for 0.01 beeing 0.0099x and not 0.01x, our only option to 

avoid weirdness is to take the accuracy limit into account 

i.e., like someone suggested it above, just do everything 

"math" in floating point unless you are controlling [gates] 

and using expr will solve the cases where the order of 

operands (doing three times / 0.3) matters.

ksound wrote on Sat, 05 September 2009 09:10I kind of follow.  But I'm still not clear on why 

for 1.0x and 0.01x it is the comma which makes the difference.
(that is the point where alex had to correct me)

now, back to the original "problem" and how to solve it: 
with the knowledge ofthe accuracy limit, which is responsible
for 0.01 beeing 0.0099x and not 0.01x, our only option to 
avoid weirdness is to take the accuracy limit into account 
when coding math.

i.e., like someone suggested it above, just do everything 
"math" in floating point unless you are controlling [gates] 
and similar logic stuff.

and using expr will solve the cases where the order of 
operands (doing three times / 0.3) matters.

I haven't tried it yet, but I believe if you split the float into two, compare the right side to .5 and if it's greater, add one to the left side, else just the left number.

Also, please use the "copy compressed" feature so that the things you paste aren't ginormous.

Mobile phone user's thumbs will thank you.

welcome to the details of floating point numbers. Max is likely behaving correctly.

In short, it is unsafe to do comparisons of floating point numbers without managing the imperfection of those floating point numbers. Its just the way IEEE designed the standard. Known issue and by design. ;-)

Lots of info on this topic. Google: float comparison epsilon

http://floating-point-gui.de/errors/comparison/

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/17333/most-effective-way-for-float-and-double-comparison

http://www.cygnus-software.com/papers/comparingfloats/comparingfloats.htm

welcome to the details of floating point numbers. Max is likely behaving correctly.
In short, it is unsafe to do comparisons of floating point numbers without managing the imperfection of those floating point numbers. Its just the way IEEE designed the standard. Known issue and by design. ;-)

Lots of info on this topic. Google: float comparison epsilon
http://floating-point-gui.de/errors/comparison/
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/17333/most-effective-way-for-float-and-double-comparison
http://www.cygnus-software.com/papers/comparingfloats/comparingfloats.htm


why are we always reviving 5 years old threads.

because it was the time of mind revolution . all of the crucial questions has been born at that time already :)

is max bad at math?