Float data types in Python represent real numbers with a decimal or a fractional portion. The numbers with a decimal point are separated into an integer and a fractional component, making them floating-point numbers when combined.
In Python, floating-point numbers are represented using 64-bit double-precision values. We may also write a floating-point number in a scientific notation using the letter e or E, and the number put after e will indicate the power of 10.
We use the float() method to convert an integer to its float form. The same difficulties that we described with the integer data type while collecting input from the user go here as well.
The Python float() function is a built-in Python function that transforms the provided value (number or text) into a floating-point number and returns the result. If the float() function fails to convert string to float, it raises the ValueError.
The syntax is
Note: If the parameter is a string, it should include a decimal number, optionally followed by a sign, and optionally enclosed in whitespace. The optional sign may be ‘+’ or ‘-‘; a ‘+’ sign does not influence the result generated. The argument may also be a string expressing a NaN (not-a-number) or negative or positive infinity. The accompanying grammar after leading and trailing whitespace characters are excluded:
Different parameters that can be used with float()
- Integer. This is used as an integer
- Float number: This is used as a floating number
- String
- Must incorporate decimal numbers.
- Leading and trailing whitespaces are deleted.
- Selectable use of “+”, “-” symbols.
- This might contain Infinity, NaN, inf (uppercase or lowercase).
Python float() special parameters
As we discussed previously, the argument of the float() method is optional. So if you output a blank float() function, what would it print?
Well, it will print 0.0 as a result. Again, you can define infinite value in float and NaN (Not A Number) with this method. You only have to enter a string containing inf or NaN as an argument. Here the following program will teach you about this.
And you will get the following output:
Return Values
The float() method returns a floating-point value that is the same as the integer supplied as is or as a string.
Most Common Errors When Using Float()
An incorrect argument value is sent to this method and throws an exception.
- TypeError: When a Python function receives an argument that is not of the expected type, a TypeError is produced.
- ValueError: When a Python function receives an argument of the right type but the incorrect value, a ValueError is generated.
Examples of the float() method in Python
Example 1: using the float() method with positive numbers
Let’s observe how the float() function transforms positive numbers into similar floating-point values.
The output will be
Example 2: using the float() method with negative numbers
Pass negative numbers to the float() function to see how it transforms them to comparable floating-point values.
The output will be
Example 3: using the float() method with a string of integers
Let’s examine how the float() function translates a number in text format to an equivalent floating-point value and returns the result.
The output will be
It’s worth noting that it skips through the leading and trailing spaces.
Example 4: float() for Inf, Infinity, and Nan(Not a number)
Words like infinity and Nan are also accepted (Not a number).
We’ve attempted to convert NaN and infinite to floating-point numbers. Look at the output below.
Popular Questions About Python’s Float Answered
Why do we use float?
Float is typically employed in graphic libraries because of the high need for processing resources. Because the range is less than that of the double type, the float has shown to be the faster option when working with hundreds of millions of floating-point values.
Is it possible to create a float range in Python?
Python range can only create a collection of integer integers from a specified band. It can’t accept a float type parameter or generate a float range of values. It accepts one, two, or three (start/stop/step) parameters. All of the parameters, however, are of the integer type. A TypeError is thrown if you pass a float.
What is the distinction between a decimal and a float?
Number values with fractional components are represented using the floating-point data type. Within the accuracy of the decimal format, decimal reliably represents every integer, but float cannot accurately represent all numbers. Decimal data types perform slower than float data types.
Is it true that double is preferable to float?
Double is more exact than float and can hold 64 bits, twice as much as a float. We favour double over float for storing huge numbers because it is more precise. For example, storing the yearly pay of a company’s CEO will be more accurate if double is used.