1/2 + 1/2 = 0
It looks as though this is a mistake, but no: each 1/2
calls for integer
division, resulting in an integer 0.
The two zeros are added to get the final answer, zero.
If you really want to add one half to one half you should write
1.0/2.0 + 1.0/2.0
because now the decimal points make each number a double.
Here is some Java code that illustrates these points:
class IntegerDivision { public static void main ( String[] args ) { System.out.println("The result is: " + (1/2 + 1/2) ); } }
Copy this program to
a file IntegerDivision.java
, compile, and run it.
See a previous chapter for details on doing this.
Make some changes to the program
using your text editor then run it to see the effect.
Notice the parentheses around (1/2 + 1/2)
What is the value of the expression 99/100 ?