Patent ID: 8775494
Filing Date: 2014-07-08
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for executing a floating-point calculation where an exact value of an associated result cannot be expressed as a floating-point value, the method comprising: generating an estimate of the associated result and storing the estimate in memory; calculating an amount of error for the estimate; calculating, via a floating point unit, a threshold of error for the associated result, wherein the threshold of error is based on 2 raised to a power of a value derived in part from a mantissa of a first floating-point number used in the floating point calculation; determining whether the amount of error is less than or equal to the threshold of error for the associated result; and if the amount of error is less than or equal to a threshold of error for the associated result, then concluding that the estimate of the associated result is a correctly rounded result of the floating-point calculation; or if the amount of error is greater than the threshold of error, then testing whether the floating-point calculation constitutes an exception case.