floating point

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noun

a decimal point whose location is not fixed, used especially in computer operations.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use floating point in a sentence

Operations for floating point numbers are handled by programming.
Preliminary Specifications: Programmed Data Processor Model Three (PDP-3)|Digital Equipment Corporation
Thus floating point numbers are essentially handled as regular logical works.
Preliminary Specifications: Programmed Data Processor Model Three (PDP-3)|Digital Equipment Corporation
A set of subroutines are provided with the PDP-3 to perform floating point arithmetic.
Preliminary Specifications: Programmed Data Processor Model Three (PDP-3)|Digital Equipment Corporation

Scientific definitions for floating point

floating-point

[ flō′tĭng-point′ ]

Relating to a method of representing numerical quantities that uses two sets of integers, a mantissa and a characteristic, in which the value of the number is understood to be equal to the mantissa multiplied by a base (often 10) raised to the power of the characteristic. Scientific notation is one means of displaying floating-point numbers.