float() in Python | Python float() Function
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Overview
In Python Programming, float() is an inbuilt function that converts an integer or specific strings into floating-point values.
Syntax of float() function in Python
Parameters of float() function in Python
It accepts only one parameter but it's optional:
- x (Optional) - number or string that needs to be converted to floating point number If it's a string, the string should contain decimal points.
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Return values of float() function in Python
| Argument type | Input | Return value | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| No argument is passed | - | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Integer | 4 | Floating point number | 4.0 |
| Floating point number | 30.0 | Floating point number | 30.0 |
| String | "20" | Floating point number | 20.0 |
| String | "nan", "NaN" | nan | nan |
| String | "inf", "InF", "InFiNiTy", "infinity" | inf | inf |
| String | "Scaler" | ValueError: could not convert string to float : 'Scaler' | - |
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Example of float() function in Python
Let's look at an example to convert string 30 to floating-point value 30.0:
Code:
Output
What is float() function in Python?
In all programming languages, typecasting of the data has been a important feature.
Python provides us an inbuilt function to convert integers and few strings to floating point numbers. Let's see how float in Python works with different parameters:
- If no argument is passed then 0.0 is returned.
- If any number is passed, then floating point number is returned.
- If a string is passed which is not a decimal point number or strings mentioned above, then ValueError is raised.
- If a number passed is outside the range of Python float() then OverflowError is generated.
More Examples
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Example 1: How float() works in Python?
Python code to explain the working of the float() in Python.
Code:
Output:
Explanation:
The last string passed does not have a decimal point number hence the code returns ValueError.
Example 2: Converting a string into a floating-point number
Code:
Output:
Explanation:
The string passed into the float() in the Python program contains integers and hence the program returns the required floating-point value.
Example 3: Using float() with infinity and Nan(Not a number)
Code:
Output:
Only for the specified strings, the float() in Python returns the above output.
Example 4: Converting an Integer to a Float in Python
Code:
Output:
Explanation:
The above code represents when an integer is passed into the float function. The code will always return the required floating-point value in such cases.
Example 5: Python float() Exception
Code:
Output:
Explanation:
In the above code, a string is passed to the float() function to check if it is a decimal point value. But it turns out not to be, hence the code returns an error.
Conclusion
- float() in Python is an inbuilt function that is used to convert any number or specific strings to a floating-point number.These specific strings are: "nan", "NaN", "inf", "InF", "InFiNiTy", "infinity".
- If other strings are given as input then the code returns an error i.e., ValueError.
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