Ruby Monstas

Numbers

Numbers

Programming languages often have more than one number type

Ruby distinguishes:

  • Integers (whole numbers)
  • Floats (floating point numbers, decimal numbers)

Integers

Example integers: 

-1353
, 
-8
, 
0
, 
4
, 
78

Often used for counting things

Floats

Example floats: 

-514.3556
, 
-7.0
, 
0.0
, 
9.1567
, 
16789.4212357

Often used for calculations

Integer calculations

Try these in IRB! 

7 + 5
=> 12
12 - 17
=> -5
5 * 9
=> 45
1 / 2
=> 0

Wait a second, what?!

Integer division

When dividing two integers, Ruby rounds the result down to the next integer!

The logic: If you put integers in, you want integers out, no matter what!

Try these in IRB! 

1.0 / 2
=> 0.5
1 / 2.0
=> 0.5

Additional Resources

Ruby For Beginners: Numbers

What questions do you have?