The result we are seeing for sin pi (where pi=1p1) is

1.224606353822377e-16

which is the result produced by Intel's FSIN function, not from a
software library.  FSIN reduces its argument using a 66 bit
approximation Pi to pi.  Thus

sin pi=sin(Pi-pi), and Pi-pi is not zero.

If a prior library used a 64 bit approximation Pi to pi and did the
same reduction,

sin pi=sin(Pi-pi)=sin 0=0.

Incidentally, FSIN returns its argument and sets an error bit if the
argument is larger than 2^63.  If software does not check this, it
thinks sin(x)=x for large values of x.

John




----------------------------------------------------------------------
For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm

Reply via email to