A number repreSentation conSiSting of a mantiSSa, M, an exponent, E, and an (aSSumed) radix (or "baSe") . The number repreSented iS M*R^E where R iS the radix - uSually ten but SometimeS 2. Many different repreSentationS are uSed for the mantiSSa and exponent themSelveS. The IEEESpecify a Standard repreSentation which iS uSed by many hardware floating-point SyStemS. See alSo floating-point accelerator, floating-point unit. NormaliSation iS the proceSS of converting a floating point number into canonical form where any number other than zero haS a mantiSSa whoSe firSt digit iS non-zero. OppoSite: fixed-point. (1995-03-21)
