Floating-Point Numbers
Floating-point numbers are a type of numerical representation used in computing to approximate real numbers with a finite amount of precision. They are typically represented in binary format using a combination of a sign bit, exponent, and mantissa, allowing for a wide range of values to be represented. Floating-point numbers are commonly used for representing real-world quantities that require fractional precision, such as scientific calculations, financial computations, and graphics rendering. However, due to their finite precision, floating-point numbers may suffer from rounding errors and inaccuracies, especially when performing arithmetic operations or comparing values. Special care must be taken when handling floating-point numbers to ensure accurate and reliable results in computational tasks. Standardized formats such as IEEE 754 define the representation and behavior of floating-point numbers in computer systems, providing guidelines for implementations across different platforms and programming languages.