Post #1782147

2026-04-28 06:42 UTC

@vnikolov @screwlisp How close is 'practically indistinguishable' remains an open question, of course, and probably needs to be runtime-configurable, because for some calculations those very small discrepancies may be important.

Replies (2)

@screwlisp@gamerplus.org 2026-04-28 06:52

@simon_brooke Would you directly integrate a computer algebra system into your lisp? For e.g. figuring out "the best" simplification of an exponential or surd. @vnikolov

Open ##1782148
@vnikolov@ieji.de 2026-04-28 07:08

@simon_brooke wrote: «How close is 'practically indistinguishable' remains an open question, of course, and probably needs to be runtime-configurable, because for some calculations those very small discrepancies may be important.» Indeed, on all these counts. I think (but don't trust me on this) that when it becomes necessary, high-quality numerical algorithms even adapt to the particular _values_ during specific stages of computation. Lots of devils in these details. Deliver us from numerical instability... @screwlisp

Open ##1782149