In Python, what is a good way to round towards zero in integer division?

Question

1/2

gives

0

as it should. However,

-1/2

gives

-1

Answer 1

You can also use the Decimal module as part of the standard python libraries.

Specifically, " The integer division operator // behaves analogously, returning the integer part of the true quotient (truncating towards zero) rather than its floor, so as to preserve the usual identity x == (x // y) * y + x % y:"

>>> -7 // 4
-2
>>> Decimal(-7) // Decimal(4)
Decimal('-1')

Also, have a look at Rounding Modes as they've got quite a few ways to view/round your information - Ceiling, down, floor, half-down, half-even, half-up, up and 05up rounding.

Decimal was written as a solution to the traditional problem of binary mathematics in a world expecting decimals solutions