Rational Arithmetic
Rational arithmetic is a mathematical concept that deals with operations on rational numbers, which are numbers that can be expressed as a fraction of two integers (e.g., 1/2, -3/4). It involves precise calculations without rounding errors, unlike floating-point arithmetic, by maintaining numerators and denominators separately. This is crucial in fields requiring exact computations, such as cryptography, financial systems, and symbolic mathematics.
Developers should learn rational arithmetic when building applications that require exact numerical precision, such as financial software for handling currencies, cryptographic algorithms for secure computations, or computer algebra systems for symbolic math. It avoids the rounding errors inherent in floating-point representations, ensuring accuracy in calculations like interest computations, fraction-based measurements, or any scenario where decimal approximations are unacceptable.