How To Convert a Float to an Int in Python (original) (raw)

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Summary: in this tutorial, you’ll learn how to convert a float to an integer.

Suppose that you have a float such as 20.3, and you want to convert it to an integer.

When you convert a float to an integer, you’ll have a data loss. For example, 20.3 may become 20 or 21.

Python provides you with some functions in the math module for converting from a float to an int, including:

Truncation #

The trunc(x) function returns the integer part of the number x. It ignores everything after the decimal point. For example:

`from math import trunc

print(trunc(12.2)) print(trunc(12.5)) print(trunc(12.7))`Code language: Python (python)

Output:

12 12 12Code language: Python (python)

Similarly, the int() constructor accepts a float and uses truncation to cast a float to an int:

print(int(12.2)) print(int(12.5)) print(int(12.7))Code language: Python (python)

Floor #

The floor(x) function returns the largest integer less than or equal to x. For example:

`from math import floor

print(floor(12.2)) print(floor(12.5)) print(floor(12.7))`Code language: Python (python)

Output:

12 12 12Code language: Python (python)

The following shows how floor() function is applied to a positive number:

For positive numbers, floor(x) and trunc(x) return the same result. However, it’s not the case for negative numbers. For example:

The following picture shows how the floor() function is applied to a negative number:

`from math import floor, trunc

print(floor(-12.7)) print(trunc(-12.7))`Code language: Python (python)

Output:

-13 -12Code language: Python (python)

The following picture illustrates the difference between the floor() and trunc() function when you apply them to a negative number:

Python float to int - floor vs trunc

Ceiling #

The ceil(x) function returns the smallest integer greater than or equal to x. For example:

`from math import ceil

print(ceil(12.7))`Code language: Python (python)

Output:

13Code language: Python (python)

The following illustrates how the ceil() function is applied to a positive number:

This example uses the ceil() function for negative numbers:

`from math import ceil

print(ceil(-12.7)) `Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Output:

-12

The following illustrates how the ceil() function is applied to a negative number:

Summary #

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