# HG changeset patch # User Jay Belanger # Date 1187192644 0 # Node ID 078d8d6716f143ebe7d38292c1cf12372dcc4e48 # Parent c315336c2be8158e23574296d7dd7c2ce7df6be4 (Basic Operations on Units): Mention exact versus inexact conversions. diff -r c315336c2be8 -r 078d8d6716f1 man/calc.texi --- a/man/calc.texi Wed Aug 15 15:42:58 2007 +0000 +++ b/man/calc.texi Wed Aug 15 15:44:04 2007 +0000 @@ -27443,6 +27443,14 @@ typing @kbd{u c @key{RET}} (without specifying new units) produces @samp{27.7777777778 m/s}. +While many of Calc's conversion factors are exact, some are necessarily +approximate. If Calc is in fraction mode (@pxref{Fraction Mode}), then +unit conversions will try to give exact, rational conversions, but it +isn't always possible. Given @samp{55 mph}, typing +@kbd{u c m/s @key{RET}} produces @samp{15367:625 m/s}, for example, +while typing @kbd{u c au/yr @key{RET}} produces +@samp{5.18665819999e-3 au/yr}. + If the units you request are inconsistent with the original units, the number will be converted into your units times whatever ``remainder'' units are left over. For example, converting @samp{55 mph} into acres