From: Jay Belanger Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:44:04 +0000 (+0000) Subject: (Basic Operations on Units): Mention exact versus inexact conversions. X-Git-Tag: archive/raspbian/1%29.2+1-2+rpi1~1^2~421^2~17403 X-Git-Url: https://dgit.raspbian.org/%22http:/www.example.com/cgi/%22https:/www.github.com/%22bookmarks:///%22http:/www.example.com/cgi/%22https:/www.github.com/%22bookmarks:/?a=commitdiff_plain;h=055eb4fca83719db7a486cf2d99f8a180ee59622;p=emacs.git (Basic Operations on Units): Mention exact versus inexact conversions. --- diff --git a/man/calc.texi b/man/calc.texi index c2278639a87..f21d1d36582 100644 --- a/man/calc.texi +++ b/man/calc.texi @@ -27443,6 +27443,14 @@ the above example, entering the units expression @samp{100 km/hr} and typing @kbd{u c @key{RET}} (without specifying new units) produces @samp{27.7777777778 m/s}. +While many of Calc's conversion factors are exact, some are necessarily +approximate. If Calc is in fraction mode (@pxref{Fraction Mode}), then +unit conversions will try to give exact, rational conversions, but it +isn't always possible. Given @samp{55 mph}, typing +@kbd{u c m/s @key{RET}} produces @samp{15367:625 m/s}, for example, +while typing @kbd{u c au/yr @key{RET}} produces +@samp{5.18665819999e-3 au/yr}. + If the units you request are inconsistent with the original units, the number will be converted into your units times whatever ``remainder'' units are left over. For example, converting @samp{55 mph} into acres