Python: math.ceil trouble

Question

Here is the issue:

>>> 16/float(1184000)

returns:

1.3513513513513513e-05

if I try to run math.ceil on this number, i get "1" instead of "2"

>>>math.ceil(16/float(1184000))

returns:

1.0

This seems odd, any ideas how to address this?

I apologize if you already know this, but your first result is expressed in [**scientific notation**](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_notation). 1.351e-05 can also be written as 0.00001351. And `ceil(0.00001351)` is, in fact, `1`. — jedwards, Jun 19 '13 at 23:44

Ashwini Chaudhary · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-19T23:55:33.947

2

Seems like you missed the power : -05:

The number is actually:

>>> '{:.20f}'.format(16/float(1184000))
'0.00001351351351351351'

So the answer is correct.

edited Jun 19 '13 at 23:55

answered Jun 19 '13 at 23:40

Ashwini Chaudhary

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 19 '13 at 23:41

2

The number 1 is the smallest integer larger than 16/1184000. That's what math.ceil() does.

1.3513513513513513e-05 is between 0 and 1, so your two answers are consistent.

The number above is read as "1.3513513513513513 times 10 to the negative 5th power."

answered Jun 19 '13 at 23:41

John

1

Thanks John, mistook that for 1.3 not 0.0000135.. :) – downbySF Jun 19 '13 at 23:50

2 Answers2