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16 Arithmetic and Arbitrary-Precision Arithmetic with 'gawk'
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This major node introduces some basic concepts relating to how computers
do arithmetic and defines some important terms.  It then proceeds to
describe floating-point arithmetic, which is what 'awk' uses for all its
computations, including a discussion of arbitrary-precision
floating-point arithmetic, which is a feature available only in 'gawk'.
It continues on to present arbitrary-precision integers, and concludes
with a description of some points where 'gawk' and the POSIX standard
are not quite in agreement.

     NOTE: Most users of 'gawk' can safely skip this chapter.  But if
     you want to do scientific calculations with 'gawk', this is the
     place to be.

* Menu:

* Computer Arithmetic::           A quick intro to computer math.
* Math Definitions::              Defining terms used.
* MPFR features::                 The MPFR features in 'gawk'.
* FP Math Caution::               Things to know.
* Arbitrary Precision Integers::  Arbitrary Precision Integer Arithmetic with
                                  'gawk'.
* Checking for MPFR::             How to check if MPFR is available.
* POSIX Floating Point Problems:: Standards Versus Existing Practice.
* Floating point summary::        Summary of floating point discussion.