math::fuzzy(3tcl) Tcl Math Library math::fuzzy(3tcl)
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NAME
math::fuzzy - Fuzzy comparison of floating-point numbers
SYNOPSIS
package require Tcl ?8.3?
package require math::fuzzy ?0.2?
::math::fuzzy::teq value1 value2
::math::fuzzy::tne value1 value2
::math::fuzzy::tge value1 value2
::math::fuzzy::tle value1 value2
::math::fuzzy::tlt value1 value2
::math::fuzzy::tgt value1 value2
::math::fuzzy::tfloor value
::math::fuzzy::tceil value
::math::fuzzy::tround value
::math::fuzzy::troundn value ndigits
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DESCRIPTION
The package Fuzzy is meant to solve common problems with floating-point
numbers in a systematic way:
o Comparing two numbers that are "supposed" to be identical, like
1.0 and 2.1/(1.2+0.9) is not guaranteed to give the intuitive
result.
o Rounding a number that is halfway two integer numbers can cause
strange errors, like int(100.0*2.8) != 28 but 27
The Fuzzy package is meant to help sorting out this type of problems by
defining "fuzzy" comparison procedures for floating-point numbers. It
does so by allowing for a small margin that is determined automatically
- the margin is three times the "epsilon" value, that is three times
the smallest number eps such that 1.0 and 1.0+$eps canbe distinguished.
In Tcl, which uses double precision floating-point numbers, this is
typically 1.1e-16.
PROCEDURES
Effectively the package provides the following procedures:
::math::fuzzy::teq value1 value2
Compares two floating-point numbers and returns 1 if their val-
ues fall within a small range. Otherwise it returns 0.
::math::fuzzy::tne value1 value2
Returns the negation, that is, if the difference is larger than
the margin, it returns 1.
::math::fuzzy::tge value1 value2
Compares two floating-point numbers and returns 1 if their val-
ues either fall within a small range or if the first number is
larger than the second. Otherwise it returns 0.
::math::fuzzy::tle value1 value2
Returns 1 if the two numbers are equal according to [teq] or if
the first is smaller than the second.
::math::fuzzy::tlt value1 value2
Returns the opposite of [tge].
::math::fuzzy::tgt value1 value2
Returns the opposite of [tle].
::math::fuzzy::tfloor value
Returns the integer number that is lower or equal to the given
floating-point number, within a well-defined tolerance.
::math::fuzzy::tceil value
Returns the integer number that is greater or equal to the given
floating-point number, within a well-defined tolerance.
::math::fuzzy::tround value
Rounds the floating-point number off.
::math::fuzzy::troundn value ndigits
Rounds the floating-point number off to the specified number of
decimals (Pro memorie).
Usage:
if { [teq $x $y] } { puts "x == y" }
if { [tne $x $y] } { puts "x != y" }
if { [tge $x $y] } { puts "x >= y" }
if { [tgt $x $y] } { puts "x > y" }
if { [tlt $x $y] } { puts "x < y" }
if { [tle $x $y] } { puts "x <= y" }
set fx [tfloor $x]
set fc [tceil $x]
set rounded [tround $x]
set roundn [troundn $x $nodigits]
TEST CASES
The problems that can occur with floating-point numbers are illustrated
by the test cases in the file "fuzzy.test":
o Several test case use the ordinary comparisons, and they fail
invariably to produce understandable results
o One test case uses [expr] without braces ({ and }). It too
fails.
The conclusion from this is that any expression should be surrounded by
braces, because otherwise very awkward things can happen if you need
accuracy. Furthermore, accuracy and understandable results are enhanced
by using these "tolerant" or fuzzy comparisons.
Note that besides the Tcl-only package, there is also a C-based ver-
sion.
REFERENCES
Original implementation in Fortran by dr. H.D. Knoble (Penn State Uni-
versity).
P. E. Hagerty, "More on Fuzzy Floor and Ceiling," APL QUOTE QUAD
8(4):20-24, June 1978. Note that TFLOOR=FL5 took five years of refereed
evolution (publication).
L. M. Breed, "Definitions for Fuzzy Floor and Ceiling", APL QUOTE QUAD
8(3):16-23, March 1978.
D. Knuth, Art of Computer Programming, Vol. 1, Problem 1.2.4-5.
BUGS, IDEAS, FEEDBACK
This document, and the package it describes, will undoubtedly contain
bugs and other problems. Please report such in the category math ::
fuzzy of the Tcllib Trackers [http://core.tcl.tk/tcllib/reportlist].
Please also report any ideas for enhancements you may have for either
package and/or documentation.
When proposing code changes, please provide unified diffs, i.e the out-
put of diff -u.
Note further that attachments are strongly preferred over inlined
patches. Attachments can be made by going to the Edit form of the
ticket immediately after its creation, and then using the left-most
button in the secondary navigation bar.
KEYWORDS
floating-point, math, rounding
CATEGORY
Mathematics
tcllib 0.2 math::fuzzy(3tcl)