Function to determine if two numbers are nearly equal when rounded to n significant decimal digits

Question

I have been asked to test a library provided by a 3rd party. The library is known to be accurate to n significant figures. Any less-significant errors can safely be

Answer 1

There are already plenty of great answers, but here's a think:

def closeness(a, b):
  """Returns measure of equality (for two floats), in unit
     of decimal significant figures."""
  if a == b:
    return float("infinity")
  difference = abs(a - b)
  avg = (a + b)/2
  return math.log10( avg / difference )


if closeness(1000, 1000.1) > 3:
  print "Joy!"