Float type and its methods in python
Last Updated : 21 Feb, 2025
A float (floating-point number) is a data type used to represent real numbers with a fractional component. It is commonly used to store decimal values and perform mathematical calculations that require precision.
Characteristics of Float Type
- Floats support decimal and exponential notation.
- They occupy 8 bytes (64 bits) in memory.
- Operations involving floats may lead to rounding errors due to binary representation limitations.
Example:
Python a = 10.5 # Float declaration b = -3.14 # Negative float c = 2.0 # Even if it looks like an integer, it's a float d = 1.23e4 # Scientific notation (1.23 × 10⁴ = 12300.0) e = 5e-3 # Scientific notation (5 × 10⁻³ = 0.005) print(a,b,c,d,e)
Built-in Methods for float type
Python provides several built-in methods for float objects.
Built-in Methods for float Type in Python
| Method | Description |
|---|
| float.as_integer_ratio() | Returns a tuple representing the float as a ratio of two integers. |
|---|
| float.conjugate() | Returns the same float value (useful for compatibility with complex numbers). |
|---|
float.fromhex(s) | Converts a hexadecimal string to a float. (Static method) |
|---|
| float.hex() | Returns the hexadecimal representation of the float. |
|---|
| float.is_integer() | Returns True if the float is an integer (has no decimal part), else False. |
|---|
| float.__abs__() | Returns the absolute value of the float. |
|---|
| float.__add__(other) | Adds two float values (self + other). |
|---|
| float.__sub__(other) | Subtracts two float values (self – other). |
|---|
| float.__mul__(other) | Multiplies two float values (self * other). |
|---|
| float.__truediv__(other) | Performs true division (self / other). |
|---|
| float.__floordiv__(other) | Performs floor division (self // other). |
|---|
| float.__mod__(other) | Returns the remainder of division (self % other). |
|---|
| float.__pow__(other) | Returns the float raised to the power of other (self ** other). |
|---|
| float.__round__(n) | Rounds the float to n decimal places. |
|---|
1. float.as_integer_ratio()
The as_integer_ratio() method returns a tuple of two integers, whose ratio equals the float. This method is useful for precise representation of floating-point numbers as fractions, which can help avoid floating-point precision errors in arithmetic calculations. The returned integers represent the numerator and denominator of the fraction.
Python f = 2.75 ratio = f.as_integer_ratio() print(ratio)
Here, 2.75 is exactly represented as 11/4. The method breaks down the float into an exact fraction by multiplying it by a power of 2 internally and simplifying it into two integers.
2. float.conjugate()
The conjugate() method returns the same float value. This method exists primarily for compatibility with complex numbers, where the conjugate of a complex number negates its imaginary part. Since a float has no imaginary part, calling conjugate() on a float simply returns itself.
Python f = 5.5 print(f.conjugate())
This method does not modify the float; it just returns the same value. It ensures compatibility when working with complex numbers, where the conjugate of a + bi is a - bi.
3. float.fromhex(s)
The fromhex() method converts a hexadecimal string representation of a floating-point number into a float. This is useful when dealing with binary representations or low-level floating-point operations.
Python s = "0x1.91eb851eb851fp+1" a = float.fromhex(s) print(a)
The hexadecimal string represents a floating-point number in scientific notation. The p+1 denotes a power of two exponent. Converting from hexadecimal ensures precise representation of binary floating-point numbers.
4. float.hex()
The hex() method returns the hexadecimal representation of a float. This is useful for debugging floating-point precision issues and for storing exact binary representations.
Python Output0x1.91eb851eb851fp+1
The output is a hexadecimal scientific notation representing the float. The p+1 means multiplying by 2^1. This format is useful for exact floating-point storage and computation.
5. float.is_integer()
The is_integer() method checks if a float has no decimal part and returns True if it is equivalent to an integer. This is useful when working with numerical computations where integer-like behavior is required.
Python print((4.0).is_integer()) print((4.5).is_integer())
Here, 4.0 is equivalent to the integer 4, so is_integer() returns True. However, 4.5 has a decimal part, so it returns False.
6. float.__abs__()
The __abs__() method returns the absolute value of a float, which is the non-negative version of the number. It is equivalent to the built-in abs() function.
Python f = -7.3 print(f.__abs__()) print(abs(f))
The negative value -7.3 is converted to its positive equivalent 7.3. This is useful when working with distances, magnitudes, or other computations where only the positive value is needed.
7. float.__add__
The __add__() method performs addition between two float values. This is automatically used when we use the + operator.
Python a = 5.5 b = 2.2 print(a.__add__(b)) print(a + b)
Here, 5.5 + 2.2 results in 7.7. The + operator internally calls the __add__() method.
8. float.__sub__
The __sub__() method performs subtraction between two float values. It is used when we apply the - operator.
Python a = 10.5 b = 3.2 print(a.__sub__(b)) print(a - b)
Here, 10.5 - 3.2 results in 7.3. The - operator calls __sub__() internally.
9. float.__mul__(other)
The __mul__() method performs multiplication between two float values.
Python a = 4.2 b = 2.0 print(a.__mul__(b)) print(a * b)
Multiplication of 4.2 * 2.0 results in 8.4. The * operator invokes __mul__() internally.
10. float.__truediv__(other)
The __truediv__() method performs true division (returns a float even when dividing two integers).
Python a = 7.5 b = 2.5 print(a.__truediv__(b)) print(a / b)
The division 7.5 / 2.5 results in 3.0, ensuring a floating-point output.
11. float.__floordiv__(other)
The __floordiv__() method performs floor division, which returns the largest integer less than or equal to the quotient.
Python a = 7.5 b = 2.5 print(a.__floordiv__(b)) print(a // b)
The quotient is 3.0 with no remainder, so the floor division is the same as normal division here.
12. float.__mod__(other)
The __mod__() method returns the remainder of division.
Python a = 10.5 b = 4.0 print(a.__mod__(b)) print(a % b)
Here, 10.5 / 4.0 results in 2 with a remainder of 2.5.
13. float.__pow__(other)
The __pow__() method raises the float to the power of another number.
Python a = 3.0 b = 2.0 print(a.__pow__(b)) print(a ** b)
The expression 3.0 ** 2.0 calculates 3.0 raised to the power of 2.0, which is 9.0.
14. float.__round__(n)
The __round__() method rounds the float to n decimal places.
Python f = 3.14159 print(f.__round__(2)) print(round(f, 2))
The float 3.14159 is rounded to 3.14 when specifying 2 decimal places.
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