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To: Paul Engel who wrote (55903)	5/22/1998 2:12:00 PM
From: andy kelly	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 186894

Paul Thank you for the explanation of single/double precision and integer/floating point data types. As the official (self appointed) "non-technical lurkers" representative, I would like to inform you that you have been granted tenure on this thread and may continue teaching here as long as you choose. This designation of course does not imply any alteration in previous salary arrangements. Andy

To: Paul Engel who wrote (55903)	5/26/1998 8:15:00 PM
From: Petz	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 186894

Paul, re:explanation of Katmai "double precision" capability. You say about the inadequacy of single precision: Even this seems quite adequate, except when you consider division of one SMALL single precision number by another, or subtraction of a very small single precision number from a large one. Wrong on the division example -- the result of 24-bit precision division will always be accurate to 24 bits, it has nothing to do with the size of the numbers. Wrong on the subtraction example. Again, if I subtract a small number from a large one, the result of the operation is still accurate to 24 bits. The real inaccuracy in floating point arithmetic creeps in when you subtract two nearly equal floating point numbers. In that case, you can lose "bits of precision," although you will lose just as many bits of precision with 48 bit double precision as with 24 bit single precision. Unfortunately, no one needs double precision for performing graphics calculations such as lighting, reflection, transmission, projection or position. Even 32 bit color has only 11 bits for each of the primary colors and position on a CRT screen is determined by a pair of 10-12 bit numbers. Double precision floating point is useful for scientific applications, but for graphics applications its wasteful silicon overkill. Petz