Computers and Computing

A Dictionary of Computing The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English Further reading

cancellation

A Dictionary of Computing | 2004 | | Copyright

cancellation The loss of significant digits in subtracting two approximately equal numbers. This is a frequent cause of poor accuracy in numerical results but it can usually be avoided by some reorganization of the calculation. Consider, for example, the quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0

The formula for the roots of a quadratic is (–b ± √(b² – 4ac))/2a

If b² is large compared with 4|ac| severe cancellation occurs in one of the roots. This root can be computed from the fact that the product of the roots is c/a.

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cancellation

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

can·cel·la·tion / ˌkansəˈlāshən/ • n. the action of canceling something that has been arranged or planned: train services are subject to cancellation at short notice. ∎ a crossing out of something written. ∎ a visible or electronic mark placed on a postage stamp to show that it has been used. ∎ Law the annulling of a legal document.

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"cancellation." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cancellation." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cancellation.html

"cancellation." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cancellation.html

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