Module 12 · Statistical Computing and Reproducibility Lesson 111 of 120
Floating-Point Representation, Overflow, and Underflow
Why a familiar decimal can fail exact equality.
Transcript
17 sentences · select one to jump thereCheck your understanding
Is Number.EPSILON a universal absolute tolerance for all values?
Code lab
Run it yourself
The lesson source in 7 languages. Edit it, run TypeScript and Python right here, and compare with the expected output.
/**
* Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 111 of 120
* Floating-Point Representation, Overflow, and Underflow
* Module 12: Statistical Computing and Reproducibility
*
* Scenario: Why a familiar decimal can fail exact equality
* Rule: binary floating point is finite, rounded representation
*
* Try it: Is Number.EPSILON a universal absolute tolerance for all values?
*
* Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/statistical-computing-and-reproducibility/floating-point-representation-overflow-and-underflow/
* Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
* Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
*/
export function lesson111() {
const sum=.1+.2;
const overflow=Number.MAX_VALUE*2;
const underflow=Number.MIN_VALUE/2;
const result={sum,exactlyPointThree:sum===.3,
overflow:String(overflow),underflow,epsilon:Number.EPSILON};
return result;
}
export const checkedResult = {"sum":0.30000000000000004,"exactlyPointThree":false,"overflow":"Infinity","underflow":0,"epsilon":2.220446049250313e-16};
// Run this file directly: npx tsx lessons/12-statistical-computing-and-reproducibility/111-floating-point-representation-overflow-and-underflow.ts
if (process.argv[1] && import.meta.url.endsWith(process.argv[1].replace(/\\/g, "/").split("/").pop()!)) {
console.log(JSON.stringify(lesson111(), null, 2));
}
Your output
Press Run to execute the code in your browser.
Expected output
{
"sum": 0.30000000000000004,
"exactlyPointThree": false,
"overflow": "Infinity",
"underflow": 0,
"epsilon": 2.220446049250313e-16
}# Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 111 of 120
# Floating-Point Representation, Overflow, and Underflow
# Module 12: Statistical Computing and Reproducibility
#
# Scenario: Why a familiar decimal can fail exact equality
# Rule: binary floating point is finite, rounded representation
#
# Try it: Is Number.EPSILON a universal absolute tolerance for all values?
#
# Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/statistical-computing-and-reproducibility/floating-point-representation-overflow-and-underflow/
# Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
# Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
#
# Run: python main.py
import json
import math
import sys
def js_string(x):
# JavaScript's String(Infinity) is "Infinity"; Python's str() would give "inf".
if math.isinf(x):
return "Infinity" if x > 0 else "-Infinity"
return repr(x)
def lesson_111():
total = 0.1 + 0.2
overflow = sys.float_info.max * 2 # Number.MAX_VALUE
# Number.MIN_VALUE is the smallest subnormal, math.ulp(0.0);
# sys.float_info.min is the smallest *normal* double, a different value.
underflow = math.ulp(0.0) / 2
return {
"sum": total,
"exactlyPointThree": total == 0.3,
"overflow": js_string(overflow),
"underflow": underflow,
"epsilon": sys.float_info.epsilon, # Number.EPSILON: gap between 1 and the next double
}
if __name__ == "__main__":
print(json.dumps(lesson_111(), indent=2))
Your output
Press Run to execute the code in your browser.
Expected output
{
"sum": 0.30000000000000004,
"exactlyPointThree": false,
"overflow": "Infinity",
"underflow": 0,
"epsilon": 2.220446049250313e-16
}/*
* Fintech Math Bootcamp - Lesson 111 of 120
* Floating-Point Representation, Overflow, and Underflow
* Module 12: Statistical Computing and Reproducibility
*
* Scenario: Why a familiar decimal can fail exact equality
* Rule: binary floating point is finite, rounded representation
*
* Try it: Is Number.EPSILON a universal absolute tolerance for all values?
*
* Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/statistical-computing-and-reproducibility/floating-point-representation-overflow-and-underflow/
* Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
* Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
*
* Run: javac Main.java && java Main
*/
import java.util.*;
public class Main {
static Map<String, Object> lesson111() {
double sum = .1 + .2;
double overflow = Double.MAX_VALUE * 2;
double underflow = Double.MIN_VALUE / 2; // Java's MIN_VALUE is also the smallest subnormal
double epsilon = Math.ulp(1.0); // Number.EPSILON: gap between 1 and the next double
// String.valueOf(Infinity) is "Infinity" in Java, exactly like JavaScript's String(Infinity).
return obj("sum", sum, "exactlyPointThree", sum == .3, "overflow", String.valueOf(overflow),
"underflow", underflow, "epsilon", epsilon);
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(toJson(lesson111(), ""));
}
// Minimal JSON writer: insertion-ordered Map, List, Number, Boolean, String and null.
static String toJson(Object value, String indent) {
if (value == null) return "null";
if (value instanceof String) return quote((String) value);
if (value instanceof Boolean) return value.toString();
if (value instanceof Double) return formatNumber((Double) value);
if (value instanceof Number) return value.toString();
String inner = indent + " ";
StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
if (value instanceof Map) {
Map<?, ?> map = (Map<?, ?>) value;
if (map.isEmpty()) return "{}";
sb.append("{\n");
int i = 0;
for (Map.Entry<?, ?> e : map.entrySet()) {
sb.append(inner).append(quote(e.getKey().toString())).append(": ").append(toJson(e.getValue(), inner));
sb.append(++i < map.size() ? ",\n" : "\n");
}
return sb.append(indent).append("}").toString();
}
List<?> list = (List<?>) value;
if (list.isEmpty()) return "[]";
sb.append("[\n");
for (int i = 0; i < list.size(); i++) {
sb.append(inner).append(toJson(list.get(i), inner)).append(i + 1 < list.size() ? ",\n" : "\n");
}
return sb.append(indent).append("]").toString();
}
// Integral doubles print without ".0", as JavaScript does; others use Java's round-trip form.
static String formatNumber(double x) {
if (x == Math.rint(x) && Math.abs(x) < 1e15) return Long.toString((long) x);
return Double.toString(x);
}
static String quote(String s) {
StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder("\"");
for (char c : s.toCharArray()) {
if (c == '"' || c == '\\') sb.append('\\').append(c);
else if (c < 0x20) sb.append(String.format("\\u%04x", (int) c));
else sb.append(c);
}
return sb.append('"').toString();
}
// Builds an insertion-ordered object from alternating keys and values.
static Map<String, Object> obj(Object... keysAndValues) {
Map<String, Object> map = new LinkedHashMap<String, Object>();
for (int i = 0; i < keysAndValues.length; i += 2) map.put((String) keysAndValues[i], keysAndValues[i + 1]);
return map;
}
static List<Object> list(double... values) {
List<Object> out = new ArrayList<Object>();
for (double v : values) out.add(v);
return out;
}
}
No browser runner for Java yet
Read the code here, then run it in your own toolchain or a ready-made cloud workspace.
Expected output
{
"sum": 0.30000000000000004,
"exactlyPointThree": false,
"overflow": "Infinity",
"underflow": 0,
"epsilon": 2.220446049250313e-16
}// Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 111 of 120
// Floating-Point Representation, Overflow, and Underflow
// Module 12: Statistical Computing and Reproducibility
//
// Scenario: Why a familiar decimal can fail exact equality
// Rule: binary floating point is finite, rounded representation
//
// Try it: Is Number.EPSILON a universal absolute tolerance for all values?
//
// Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/statistical-computing-and-reproducibility/floating-point-representation-overflow-and-underflow/
// Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
// Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
//
// Run: go run main.go
package main
import (
"encoding/json"
"fmt"
"math"
"strconv"
)
type Result struct {
Sum float64 `json:"sum"`
ExactlyPointThree bool `json:"exactlyPointThree"`
Overflow string `json:"overflow"`
Underflow float64 `json:"underflow"`
Epsilon float64 `json:"epsilon"`
}
// jsString mirrors JavaScript's String(x); Go would format infinity as "+Inf".
func jsString(x float64) string {
if math.IsInf(x, 1) {
return "Infinity"
}
if math.IsInf(x, -1) {
return "-Infinity"
}
return strconv.FormatFloat(x, 'g', -1, 64)
}
func lesson111() Result {
// Variables, not constants: Go evaluates constant expressions exactly,
// so a constant 0.1 + 0.2 would be exactly 0.3 and hide the rounding.
a, b := 0.1, 0.2
sum := a + b
maxValue := math.MaxFloat64 // Number.MAX_VALUE
overflow := maxValue * 2
minValue := math.SmallestNonzeroFloat64 // Number.MIN_VALUE, the smallest subnormal
underflow := minValue / 2
epsilon := math.Nextafter(1, 2) - 1 // Number.EPSILON: gap between 1 and the next double
return Result{
Sum: sum,
ExactlyPointThree: sum == 0.3,
Overflow: jsString(overflow),
Underflow: underflow,
Epsilon: epsilon,
}
}
func main() {
out, err := json.MarshalIndent(lesson111(), "", " ")
if err != nil {
panic(err)
}
fmt.Println(string(out))
}
No browser runner for Go yet
Read the code here, then run it in your own toolchain or a ready-made cloud workspace.
Expected output
{
"sum": 0.30000000000000004,
"exactlyPointThree": false,
"overflow": "Infinity",
"underflow": 0,
"epsilon": 2.220446049250313e-16
}// Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 111 of 120
// Floating-Point Representation, Overflow, and Underflow
// Module 12: Statistical Computing and Reproducibility
//
// Scenario: Why a familiar decimal can fail exact equality
// Rule: binary floating point is finite, rounded representation
//
// Try it: Is Number.EPSILON a universal absolute tolerance for all values?
//
// Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/statistical-computing-and-reproducibility/floating-point-representation-overflow-and-underflow/
// Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
// Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
//
// Run: g++ -std=c++17 -O1 -o lesson main.cpp && ./lesson
#include <algorithm>
#include <charconv>
#include <cmath>
#include <cstdint>
#include <cstdio>
#include <deque>
#include <iostream>
#include <limits>
#include <map>
#include <optional>
#include <stdexcept>
#include <string>
#include <utility>
#include <variant>
#include <vector>
// Minimal JSON value: objects keep insertion order; numbers print in shortest round-trip form.
struct Json {
enum class Kind { Null, Bool, Number, String, Array, Object };
Kind kind = Kind::Null;
bool flag = false;
double number = 0.0;
std::string text;
std::vector<std::string> keys; // object keys, parallel to items
std::vector<Json> items; // array items, or object values
};
Json jnull() { return Json{}; }
Json jbool(bool value) { Json j; j.kind = Json::Kind::Bool; j.flag = value; return j; }
Json jnum(double value) { Json j; j.kind = Json::Kind::Number; j.number = value; return j; }
Json jstr(const std::string& value) { Json j; j.kind = Json::Kind::String; j.text = value; return j; }
Json jarr(std::vector<Json> items) { Json j; j.kind = Json::Kind::Array; j.items = std::move(items); return j; }
Json jobj(std::vector<std::pair<std::string, Json>> fields) {
Json j;
j.kind = Json::Kind::Object;
for (auto& field : fields) {
j.keys.push_back(field.first);
j.items.push_back(std::move(field.second));
}
return j;
}
Json jnums(const std::vector<double>& values) {
std::vector<Json> items;
for (double v : values) items.push_back(jnum(v));
return jarr(std::move(items));
}
Json jnums(const std::vector<std::optional<double>>& values) {
std::vector<Json> items;
for (const auto& v : values) items.push_back(v ? jnum(*v) : jnull());
return jarr(std::move(items));
}
std::string formatNumber(double value) {
char buffer[64];
auto result = std::to_chars(buffer, buffer + sizeof buffer, value); // shortest round-trip form
return std::string(buffer, result.ptr);
}
std::string quote(const std::string& text) {
std::string out = "\"";
for (char c : text) {
if (c == '"' || c == '\\') {
out += '\\';
out += c;
} else if (static_cast<unsigned char>(c) < 0x20) {
char buffer[8];
std::snprintf(buffer, sizeof buffer, "\\u%04x", static_cast<unsigned>(c));
out += buffer;
} else {
out += c;
}
}
return out + "\"";
}
void writeJson(std::ostream& out, const Json& value, const std::string& indent = "") {
const std::string inner = indent + " ";
switch (value.kind) {
case Json::Kind::Null: out << "null"; return;
case Json::Kind::Bool: out << (value.flag ? "true" : "false"); return;
case Json::Kind::Number: out << formatNumber(value.number); return;
case Json::Kind::String: out << quote(value.text); return;
case Json::Kind::Array:
case Json::Kind::Object: {
const bool isObject = value.kind == Json::Kind::Object;
if (value.items.empty()) {
out << (isObject ? "{}" : "[]");
return;
}
out << (isObject ? "{\n" : "[\n");
for (std::size_t i = 0; i < value.items.size(); ++i) {
out << inner;
if (isObject) out << quote(value.keys[i]) << ": ";
writeJson(out, value.items[i], inner);
out << (i + 1 < value.items.size() ? ",\n" : "\n");
}
out << indent << (isObject ? "}" : "]");
}
}
}
// Mirrors JavaScript's String(x); C++ streams would print "inf".
std::string jsString(double x) {
if (std::isinf(x)) return x > 0 ? "Infinity" : "-Infinity";
return formatNumber(x);
}
Json lesson111() {
double sum = .1 + .2;
double overflow = std::numeric_limits<double>::max() * 2; // Number.MAX_VALUE * 2
double underflow = std::numeric_limits<double>::denorm_min() / 2; // Number.MIN_VALUE is the smallest subnormal
double epsilon = std::numeric_limits<double>::epsilon(); // Number.EPSILON
return jobj({{"sum", jnum(sum)},
{"exactlyPointThree", jbool(sum == .3)},
{"overflow", jstr(jsString(overflow))},
{"underflow", jnum(underflow)},
{"epsilon", jnum(epsilon)}});
}
int main() {
writeJson(std::cout, lesson111());
std::cout << "\n";
return 0;
}
No browser runner for C++ yet
Read the code here, then run it in your own toolchain or a ready-made cloud workspace.
Expected output
{
"sum": 0.30000000000000004,
"exactlyPointThree": false,
"overflow": "Infinity",
"underflow": 0,
"epsilon": 2.220446049250313e-16
}// Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 111 of 120
// Floating-Point Representation, Overflow, and Underflow
// Module 12: Statistical Computing and Reproducibility
//
// Scenario: Why a familiar decimal can fail exact equality
// Rule: binary floating point is finite, rounded representation
//
// Try it: Is Number.EPSILON a universal absolute tolerance for all values?
//
// Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/statistical-computing-and-reproducibility/floating-point-representation-overflow-and-underflow/
// Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
// Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
//
// Run: rustc -O main.rs && ./main
#![allow(dead_code)]
/// Minimal JSON value; objects keep insertion order.
enum Json {
Null,
Bool(bool),
Num(f64),
Str(String),
Arr(Vec<Json>),
Obj(Vec<(String, Json)>),
}
fn obj(fields: Vec<(&str, Json)>) -> Json {
Json::Obj(fields.into_iter().map(|(k, v)| (k.to_string(), v)).collect())
}
fn nums(values: &[f64]) -> Json {
Json::Arr(values.iter().map(|&v| Json::Num(v)).collect())
}
fn optional_nums(values: &[Option<f64>]) -> Json {
Json::Arr(values.iter().map(|v| v.map_or(Json::Null, Json::Num)).collect())
}
fn quote(text: &str) -> String {
let mut out = String::from("\"");
for c in text.chars() {
match c {
'"' => out.push_str("\\\""),
'\\' => out.push_str("\\\\"),
c if (c as u32) < 0x20 => out.push_str(&format!("\\u{:04x}", c as u32)),
c => out.push(c),
}
}
out.push('"');
out
}
// Display for f64 prints the shortest string that round-trips, as JavaScript does.
fn write_json(value: &Json, indent: &str, out: &mut String) {
let inner = format!("{} ", indent);
match value {
Json::Null => out.push_str("null"),
Json::Bool(b) => out.push_str(if *b { "true" } else { "false" }),
Json::Num(n) => out.push_str(&format!("{}", n)),
Json::Str(s) => out.push_str("e(s)),
Json::Arr(items) if items.is_empty() => out.push_str("[]"),
Json::Obj(fields) if fields.is_empty() => out.push_str("{}"),
Json::Arr(items) => {
out.push_str("[\n");
for (i, item) in items.iter().enumerate() {
out.push_str(&inner);
write_json(item, &inner, out);
out.push_str(if i + 1 < items.len() { ",\n" } else { "\n" });
}
out.push_str(indent);
out.push(']');
}
Json::Obj(fields) => {
out.push_str("{\n");
for (i, (key, item)) in fields.iter().enumerate() {
out.push_str(&inner);
out.push_str("e(key));
out.push_str(": ");
write_json(item, &inner, out);
out.push_str(if i + 1 < fields.len() { ",\n" } else { "\n" });
}
out.push_str(indent);
out.push('}');
}
}
}
/// Mirrors JavaScript's String(x); Rust's Display would print "inf".
fn js_string(x: f64) -> String {
if x.is_infinite() {
(if x > 0.0 { "Infinity" } else { "-Infinity" }).to_string()
} else {
format!("{}", x)
}
}
fn lesson_111() -> Json {
let sum = 0.1_f64 + 0.2;
let overflow = f64::MAX * 2.0; // Number.MAX_VALUE * 2
// Number.MIN_VALUE is the smallest subnormal, f64::from_bits(1);
// f64::MIN_POSITIVE is the smallest *normal* double, a different value.
let underflow = f64::from_bits(1) / 2.0;
obj(vec![
("sum", Json::Num(sum)),
("exactlyPointThree", Json::Bool(sum == 0.3)),
("overflow", Json::Str(js_string(overflow))),
("underflow", Json::Num(underflow)),
("epsilon", Json::Num(f64::EPSILON)), // Number.EPSILON
])
}
fn main() {
let mut out = String::new();
write_json(&lesson_111(), "", &mut out);
println!("{}", out);
}
No browser runner for Rust yet
Read the code here, then run it in your own toolchain or a ready-made cloud workspace.
Expected output
{
"sum": 0.30000000000000004,
"exactlyPointThree": false,
"overflow": "Infinity",
"underflow": 0,
"epsilon": 2.220446049250313e-16
}// Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 111 of 120
// Floating-Point Representation, Overflow, and Underflow
// Module 12: Statistical Computing and Reproducibility
//
// Scenario: Why a familiar decimal can fail exact equality
// Rule: binary floating point is finite, rounded representation
//
// Try it: Is Number.EPSILON a universal absolute tolerance for all values?
//
// Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/statistical-computing-and-reproducibility/floating-point-representation-overflow-and-underflow/
// Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
// Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
//
// Run: dotnet run
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Globalization;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text.Encodings.Web;
using System.Text.Json;
var options = new JsonSerializerOptions { WriteIndented = true, Encoder = JavaScriptEncoder.UnsafeRelaxedJsonEscaping };
Console.WriteLine(JsonSerializer.Serialize(Lesson111(), options));
static object Lesson111()
{
double sum = .1 + .2;
double overflow = double.MaxValue * 2;
// C#'s double.Epsilon is the smallest subnormal, i.e. JavaScript's Number.MIN_VALUE.
double underflow = double.Epsilon / 2;
// JavaScript's Number.EPSILON is the gap between 1 and the next double.
double epsilon = Math.BitIncrement(1.0) - 1.0;
// .NET formats infinity as "∞"; JavaScript's String(Infinity) is "Infinity".
string overflowText = double.IsPositiveInfinity(overflow) ? "Infinity" : overflow.ToString(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);
return new { sum, exactlyPointThree = sum == .3, overflow = overflowText, underflow, epsilon };
}
No browser runner for C# yet
Read the code here, then run it in your own toolchain or a ready-made cloud workspace.
Expected output
{
"sum": 0.30000000000000004,
"exactlyPointThree": false,
"overflow": "Infinity",
"underflow": 0,
"epsilon": 2.220446049250313e-16
}Prefer your own machine? Every file is in the course repository · open it in Codespaces.
Lesson notes
The rule
binary floating point is finite, rounded representation