Representing Numbers in the Computer: A Laboratory Exercise

Leslie Glasser
University of Witwatersrand, Department of Chemistry, Wits 2050, SOUTH AFRICA
J. Chem. Educ., 1998, 75 (6), p 778
DOI: 10.1021/ed075p778
Publication Date (Web): June 1, 1998

Abstract

The finite memory of a computer creates problems in the representation and manipulation of non-integer ("floating point") quantities; it is explained how such problems can be magnified by inappropriate numerical procedures or ameliorated by careful data treatment. In order to clarify the issues involved, the methods by which characters, integers and floating point quantities are stored and handled in the computer are outlined. Then, a number of exercises is presented, for operation on both computers and calculators, by which the accuracy of number representation may be judged and which illustrate some of the problems which might arise in naive computational procedures.

Keywords (Audience):

General Public

Keywords (Subject):

Computational Chemistry
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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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