From: jrs@merlyn.demon.co.uk   
      
   In comp.lang.pascal.borland message , Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:10:29, Jim Higgins   
    posted:   
   >   
   >Assuming price and tax are really meant to be integers, you need to   
   >define total as real or you'll be unable to lose precision.   
   >   
   >An item with a PRICE of $4 at a TAX RATE of 6% will have a TOTAL COST   
   >of $4.24 due to the added TAX AMOUNT of $0.24.  Your variables that   
   >hold these assorted values must be data types that will hold the value   
   >without losing accuracy or precision.   
      
   The value 0.24 cannot be held exactly in a real, single, double, or   
   extended.  The nearest Single value is +0.23999999463558197021484375.   
   It can be held exactly in a comp.  But direct use of a comp is not   
   always adequate - lawful conversion of punts to euros required division   
   by 0.787564 to specified accuracy.   
      
   In practice, one must either use exact arithmetic throughout, or accept   
   inexactness - and control the consequences.   
      
   --   
    (c) John Stockton, Surrey, UK.   ?@merlyn.demon.co.uk   Turnpike v6.05   MIME.   
      TP/BP/Delphi/&c., FAQqy topics & links;   
        RAH Prins : c.l.p.b mFAQ;   
      Timo Salmi's Turbo Pascal FAQ.   
      
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