Difference between revisions of "Floor function"

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The greatest integer function, also known as the '''floor function''', gives the greatest integer less than or equal to its argument.  The floor of <math>x</math> is usually denoted by <math>\lfloor x \rfloor</math> or <math>[x]</math>.  Note that this function is ''not'' the same as rounding or "dropping the decimal part."
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The greatest integer function, also known as the '''floor function''', gives the greatest integer less than or equal to its argument.  The floor of <math>x</math> is usually denoted by <math>\lfloor x \rfloor</math> or <math>[x]</math>.  Note that this function is ''not'' the same as rounding or "dropping everything after the decimal point" in general.
  
 
For example:
 
For example:
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*<math>\lfloor 5 \rfloor = 5</math>
 
*<math>\lfloor 5 \rfloor = 5</math>
  
*<math>\lfloor -2.7 \rfloor = -3</math>
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*<math>\lfloor -3.2 \rfloor = -4</math>
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Revision as of 12:46, 29 June 2006

The greatest integer function, also known as the floor function, gives the greatest integer less than or equal to its argument. The floor of $x$ is usually denoted by $\lfloor x \rfloor$ or $[x]$. Note that this function is not the same as rounding or "dropping everything after the decimal point" in general.

For example:

  • $\lfloor 3.14 \rfloor = 3$
  • $\lfloor 5 \rfloor = 5$
  • $\lfloor -3.2 \rfloor = -4$

See Also