Fixed-point number: Simply explained with examples

So-called fixed-point numbers often appear in computer science. We explain to you exactly what this is in this practical tip.

Fixed point number - what is it?

Special control systems have to process values with a certain accuracy. For this they use so-called fixed point numbers.

With a fixed point number, a number with a certain number of digits is displayed. Here, however, the position of the comma is fixed.
The fixed point number can be broken down into bits (n) for the fraction before the decimal point and (m) for the fraction after the decimal point.
However, it is important that fractions in the decimal system can be displayed periodically in the dual system.
For negative numbers, the two's complement is also used here.
When calculating with fixed-point numbers, you proceed in exactly the same way as with normal numbers. However, the comma must also remain in the same position in the case of a dash calculation. When multiplying, all numbers must have the same number of places before and after the decimal point.

The next practical tip will tell you how to convert ASCII letters to binary numbers.