[R] precision in seq
Barry Rowlingson
b.rowlingson at lancaster.ac.uk
Tue Feb 5 11:41:05 CET 2008
Prof Brian Ripley wrote:
> FAQ Q7.31 and ?"==" should enlighten you.
>
> None of 0.05, 0.1 ... 0.9, 0.95 are exactly representable on a binary
> computer.
Doesn't the string "0.95" constitute an exact representation? And my
computer is definitely binary. Although I suspect it is also bipolar.
It's the lack of understanding of the underlying encoding of real
numbers - or even the actual *existence* of the underlying encoding -
that means the cry of 'FAQ Q7.31!' will long echo down the halls of R-help.
Barry
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