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Regarding Calculator and low precision values
But doesn't that produce a bias towards even numbers?
Regarding Calculator and low precision values
Whether a number is odd or even is usually not as important as the magnitude of the error. For example, 5.5+3.5+2.5=11. If we round 5 up, we get 6+4+3=13. If we round to even, we get 6+4+2=12. The effect only appears on longer chains of numbers, where the bias of 5 adds up.
Regarding Calculator and low precision values
Under what conditions would you conceivably care about a bias towards even numbers? The main issue is usually whether some measure, the mean for example, becomes biased by rounding. That's what round-to-even is for.
Regarding Calculator and low precision values
The bias to even numbers would change the shape of the distribution.
The distribution only matters if
you're doing statistics. If you're doing any other branch of math you want to minimize the total error - the distribution is irrelevant.
Rounding towards even minimizes the total error and is the mechanism used internally by most math chips, IIRC. Here's a link that refers to both methods as "equally valid". --- |
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