exp(log(x))-x?
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Analytically, exp(log(x))-x should give zero.
But In matlab, it is not zero
x=linspace(1,10,10);
exp(log(x))-x;
for x=1 to 10, the answer is
0
0
-4.44089209850063e-16
0
0
0
0
-1.77635683940025e-15
1.77635683940025e-15
1.77635683940025e-15
what is happening?
and how can I fix this?
1 Comment
Adam
on 22 Apr 2016
It is 0 to within a certain precision. The results of mathematical operations involving doubles rarely produce the exact results due to the precision of the representation.
Why do you need to "fix it"? In what context are you using it?
Answers (2)
John D'Errico
on 22 Apr 2016
You cannot "fix" it, not as long as you work with numbers represented in floating point arithmetic. Floating point arithmetic is not mathematics. The two look a lot alike, but they are not the same.
The only fix available is in your mind, learning what you can and cannot do. Of course, if you are willing to always work in symbolic form, then you can resolve this. Your code will be painfully slow then.
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