Understanding Float in Python [With Examples]

Basic Data Types in Python

Developers operate distinct data types to store values depending on how they expect to influence a value. 

Python offers four major data types: strings, integers, complex numbers, and floats.

Integers

The set of positive, negative and whole numbers are Integers. In python, it is the same except for the fractional part and has unlimited precision. 0, 100, and -1000 are valid integer literals according to python. It has two types: Integers (signed) and Boolean.

Strings

This data type represents a sequence of characters. It is an inflexible data type that cannot be changed once created. The string has wide usage in many applications for storing and manipulating addresses, representing names and other types of data that are represented as text.

Floats

Float is a function or reusable code in Python that is a common data format. Also, float contains  decimals and integers. In Python, floating numbers represent machine-level double-precision floating point numbers. The range of these numbers is restricted by fundamental machine architecture subject to available memory.

How to Use the Python Float Function?

Python's float() function will convert any value into a decimal or fractional number. Basically, it converts integers or real numbers into floating-point numbers.

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Float () Syntax

Every inbuilt function in the python programming language has a predefined objective and a syntax. The term syntax refers to how a particular function needs to be used or called. In the below line, we can learn more about the syntax of the float() function in the python programming language.

Syntax: The syntax of the inbuilt float() function: float(X)

Where X is an input parameter passed to the function when it is called in the program.

Float () Parameters

One of the salient features of the python programming language is that it has rich predefined libraries with numerous methods defined in it. We can use them by just calling the function. While a function is being called, the necessary syntax must be followed and suitable parameters must be passed to the function. Here the term parameters refer to the input arguments given to the method by the user. In the next lines, let us understand more about the parameter of the float() function.

Calling float function: float(X)

Here, the variable X is called the parameter to that function. X can be a normal integer value or any string that has decimal points. An interesting fact about the float() is that the parameter is optional.

Float () Return Value

Python programming language has many inbuilt libraries and functions. One among them is the float() function. With the help of the float() function, we can convert an input string or an integer value to a floating point value. We already knew that it is not mandatory to send a parameter to the float(), in such a case the function returns 0.0 as output. On another side, the float() function returns the corresponding floating-point value when an integer or string with decimals is given as an input argument. If any input value is out of range of floating value in python, then it returns OverflowError.

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What is Float in Python Output For Integers?

Usually, to run a program, programmers use real values or integers (int). But often, the number value is too big, so the input string or the integer is altered to obtain accurate values. This helps in running mathematical programs successfully since float values are more precise. 

x = float(56)

print(x).

Output = 56.0

Or

print(float(73))

Output = 73.0

Output for Float Values

Using float() on the float value results in the same output. 

y = float (35.98)

print(y).

Output = 35.98

Or

print(float(50.76))

Output = 50.76

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Output for String to Floats

Strings is a series of characters in python within double or single quotes. These characters return when programmers want to perform file operations. Nevertheless, you have to convert the string object into a floating object if you want to run an operation. This conversion of values takes place due to the float() function. But you must keep in mind that float only converts a numerical value into floating points. Characters do not completely change from strings to floating points. 

Integers 

“76.097”

F = float(s)

print(“Float Value =”, f)

Output = 76.097

Or

Print (float(“98.45”))

Output = 98.45

Or

y = float(‘-247.91’)

print(y)

Output = -247.91

Special Characters

print(float(‘uba’))

Output = value error

Float () Function Example 1

The following is what float() returns for 3 i.e. Integer. 

Output

 Example 2: This is what float() returns for 5.5 i.e. decimal.

 Output

Examples of float() With String Parameter:

Example 1: This is what float() returns for “5.5” i.e. String.

Output

 Example 2: This is what float() returns for “5.5” i.e. String with white spaces.

 Output

Example 3: This is what float() returns for “5.500” i.e. String, which is decimal.

 Output

Example 4: This is what float() returns for “-15.5 \n” i.e. a string, which is a negative decimal.

 Output

Example 5: This is what float() returns for “Cucumber” i.e. String, which is not an integer or decimal.

 Output–float() returns an error, as the string is not an integer or decimal.

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Examples of Float() With Infinity:

Example 1: This is what float() returns for 1.82e310 i.e. an integer that exceeds the maximum value of the Python floating-point number.

Output

Examples of Float() With Not a Number, i.e. NaN as a String.

Example 1: This is what float() returns for “NaN” i.e. String, which is not a number.

 Output

Examples of float() With Infinity, i.e. Infinity as a String.

Example 1: This is what float() returns for “Infinity” i.e. String.

 Output

Example 2: This is what float() returns for “inf” i.e. String.

Output

Python Float() Exception [Example]

Float is an important mathematical function in Python so it obviously works on integers and decimal values and not on characters.

Code

incorrect_input = “python”

try:

print(float(incorrect_input))

except ValueError as e:

print(e)

Output:

Could not convert to float: ‘python’

Conclusion

• The inbuilt function, float(), can only convert numbers or specific strings in floating points. The convertible strings are “nan”, “NaN”, “InFiNiTy”, “inf”, “InF”, “and infinity”.
• Other than the specific strings any other input will result in ValueError.

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Example: How Does Float () Work With Python?

With this example, let us get a clearer understanding of the float() in the python programming language.

Snippet 1: print(float())

Output 1: 0.0

Snippet 2: print(float(17))

Output 2: 17.0

Snippet 3: print(float(10.02))

Output 3: 10.02

Snippet 4: print(float('podium'))

Output 4: ValueError: could not convert string to float: 'podium'

Snippet 5: print(float(-8))

Output 5: -8.0

Snippet 6: print(float('1234'))

Output 6: 1234.0

Snippet 7: print(float(123456789123499999991111111111111111111122255555555555555555555555555555555555555555555550000000000000000000011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111188888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555522222222222222222222222222222222222222222))

Output 7: OverflowError: int too large to convert to float

Example: Float() For Infinity and Nan (Not a Number)?

With this example, let us get a clearer understanding of the float() function in the programming language when infinity and NaN (Not a Number) values are given as input parameters to the float() function.

Snippet 8: print(float("nan"))

Output 8: nan

Snippet 9: print(float("NaN"))

Output 9: nan

Snippet 10: print(float("inf"))

Output 10: inf

Snippet 11: print(float("InF"))

Output 11: inf

Snippet 12: print(float("InFiNiTy"))

Output 12: inf

Snippet 13: print(float("infinity"))

Output 13: inf

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Converting an Integer to Float in Python

As we discussed earlier, we can pass an integer value to the float() function as an input argument and get its equivalent floating point value as output. Let us understand this with the help of an example.

Snippet 14: print(float(23))

Output 14: 23.0

Snippet 15: print(float(112000))

Output 15: print(float(112000))

Converting a String to Float in Python

As we discussed earlier, we can pass a string value to the float() function as an input argument and get its equivalent floating point value as output (given condition is that the string must be numerical). Let us understand this with the help of an example. 

Snippet 16: print(float('python'))

Output 16: ValueError: could not convert string to float: 'python'

Snippet 17: print(float('64'))

Output 17: 64.0

Additional Methods That Are Available In Float():

Float() also has some additional methods that are useful to identify finite integers, decimal from hexadecimal strings, etc. To understand this better, it makes sense to see it in-detail with examples.

What is float.as_integer_ratio()?

Float.as_integer_ratio() is a built-in function that provides a pair of integers whose ratio is equivalent to the original float provided.

Syntax: float.as_integer_ratio()  

return Tupple (integer pair)

Example:

Output 

Directly Assign a Float to a Variable

New variable is easy to create as a float. You simply need to type in your program. With the help of the assign operator and assign the floating point value to the variable. Keep the float value on the right and the variable name on the left. 

a = 55. 2367896

b = -22.0099

print(a)

print(b)

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Calculate a Float Through Other Variables

You can further assign a float value to a variable through calculation from other variables. For instance, you can add or subtract values to obtain an output. At the time of calculation in float, Python sets the default value as your new variable as a float. 

Input

float firstNumber;

float secondNumber;

float floatAnswer;

firstNumber = 45.5

secondNumber = 50.5

floatAnswer = firstNumber + secondNumber;

Output
100

What is float.is_integer()?

float.is_integer() is used to identify whether the given float instance is a finite integer or not. If it is finite, the integer returns true, else it returns false.

Example: 

Output

What is float.hex()?

float.hex() returns the hexadecimal string for the given floating number.

Example

Output

What is float.fromhex()?

float.fromhex() returns the floating-point number which represents the given hexadecimal string.

Example:

Output

Conclusion:

Float() in python is an important method that is useful to represent floating-point numbers. It is used to represent real numbers and is written with the decimals dividing the integer and fractional parts.

In this article, you have learned what float() is, the syntax for float(), and additional float() methods along with good working examples. You also saw how to define float(), how to print, as well as get the output from a float, etc. To learn more about this topic, enroll in the Python Training Course from Simplilearn, to learn the fundamentals concepts of Python, including data operations, Django, conditional statements, shell scripting, and much more. This certification course consists of 38 hours of Blended Learning and 8 hours of online self-paced learning, which will provide you with practical programming experience and train you for a rewarding career as a professional Python programmer.

In this article, you have learnt about Float(), syntax for Float() in Python as_integer_ratio() in Float(), is_integer() in Float(), hex() in Float(), and fromhex() in Float() with a working example.

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