> >>> from decimal import Decimal
> >>> getcontext().prec = 32
> >>> Decimal(1) / Decimal(7)
> Decimal("0.14285714285714285714285714285714")
>
> But I can't figure out how to compute to 32 places things like the
> square root of 2, or the arc tangent of .41. Could someone please
> show me?
The first is easy:
>>> from decimal import getcontext
>>> getcontext().prec = 32
>>> Decimal(2).sqrt()
Decimal("1.4142135623730950488016887242097")
actan(0.41) is trickier... because you need to use the math module
>>> Decimal(str(math.atan(0.41)))
0.38909723105527838
And that limits the precision. If you were working with lower value
precision - say 16 digits - then it would be OK.
>>> getcontext().prec=12
>>> Decimal(str(math.atan(0.41)))
Decimal("0.389097231055")
>>>
HTH,
Alan Gauld
Author of the Learn to Program web site
http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/alan.gauld
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