Numbers and Precision

Variable-precision arithmetic and elementary number-theoretic operations

The Symbolic Math Toolbox™ can perform numeric calculations with variable precision by using vpa. For details, see Increase Precision of Numeric Calculations. To understand when to use symbolic, variable-precision, or double-precision arithmetic, see Choose Numeric or Symbolic Arithmetic. The Symbolic Math Toolbox also provides functions for rounding operations and for working with complex numbers.

Functions

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digitsChange variable precision used
doubleConvert symbolic values to MATLAB double precision
vpaVariable-precision arithmetic (arbitrary-precision arithmetic)
vpaintegralNumerical integration using variable precision
vpasolveSolve equations numerically
vpasumNumerical summation using variable precision
imagImaginary part of complex number
realReal part of complex number
dec2binConvert decimal number to character vector representing binary number
dec2hexConvert decimal number to character vector representing hexadecimal number

Topics

Choose Numeric or Symbolic Arithmetic

Compare and contrast double-precision, variable-precision, and symbolic arithmetic.

Numeric to Symbolic Conversion

Convert floating-point numbers to exact symbolic numbers.

Increase Precision of Numeric Calculations

Increase precision arbitrarily with variable-precision arithmetic.

Recognize and Avoid Round-Off Errors

Round-off errors in symbolic and variable-precision calculations.

Increase Speed by Reducing Precision

Increase speed of calculations by reducing precision of calculations.

Featured Examples

Prime Factorizations

Prime Factorizations

Use some elementary functions on sym objects using the Symbolic Math Toolbox™.

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Handling Large Integers to Solve the 196 Problem

Handling Large Integers to Solve the 196 Problem

Work with large integers and their decimal representation using the Symbolic Math Toolbox™.

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Compute Binomial Coefficients Exactly

Compute Binomial Coefficients Exactly

Get precise values for binomial coefficients and find probabilities in coin-tossing experiments using the Symbolic Math Toolbox.

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Numerical Computations With High Precision

Numerical Computations With High Precision

Use variable-precision arithmetic to obtain high precision computations using Symbolic Math Toolbox™.

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Decimal Digits of PI

Decimal Digits of PI

Use variable-precision arithmetic to investigate the decimal digits of pi using Symbolic Math Toolbox™.

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Symbolic Math Toolbox Documentation

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