Doubleprecision

/ˌdʌbəlprɪˈsɪʒən/ noun

Definition

A computing term for using twice the normal amount of memory to store a number, allowing for much greater accuracy and a wider range of values.

Etymology

From 'double' plus 'precision' (from Latin 'praecidere,' to cut short). This technical term emerged in the 1950s as computer scientists developed ways to represent numbers more accurately in digital systems.

Kelly Says

Double precision is why your GPS can tell you exactly where you are—a single number in regular precision couldn't be accurate enough, but doubling the data storage lets computers measure your position down to feet or even inches.

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