floats

In computing, a float is a way to represent numbers that have decimal points, like 3.14 or -0.001. Unlike whole numbers, floats can handle very large or very small values and fractional parts precisely. They are stored in a format that includes a sign, an exponent, and a significand (or mantissa), allowing computers to perform calculations with decimal numbers efficiently. Floats are essential for applications requiring precision, such as scientific calculations, graphics, and financial modeling. However, they can sometimes introduce small errors due to the way they are stored and approximated in digital systems.