christian schulze wrote:
> #1:
>>>> 2.0 * e * sqrt(3.0) - 2.0 * e
> 3.9798408154464964
>
> #2:
>>>> 2.0 * e * (sqrt(3.0) -1.0)
> 3.979840815446496
>
> I was wondering what exactly is failing here. The math module? Python,
> or the IEEE specifications?
Limited-precision calculation, computer floating-point for example, will do
this. Intermediate results get rounded off in different ways on different
paths through the "same" calculation. The whole truth for this will be
revealed in a Numerical Analysis textbook, e.g. James B. Scarbourough,
_Numerical Mathematical Analysis_,
Mel.
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