Computational arithmetic : an updated view

Abstract

'This paper begins with a review of the fioating-point system, where fioating-point numbers are characterized. It reveals the need of a stan dard in order to solve the problem of production of different results in different computers, as well as the problems oflibrary's portability and software package. It also characterizes the IEEE-754 standard, which specifies the binary fioating-point system for computers since 1980. This standard also specifies: r~presentation of numbers, arithmetic operations, conversion between formats and treatment of exception with underflow and overfiow. Special types of the NaN (not a num ber), + and - infinite, non normalized numbers and implicit bit are also characterized.