Java MCQ: Which data type would be most suitable for storing the price of an item in a store?
Answer:
Explanation:
The double data type in Java is the most suitable for storing the price of an item in a store because it can handle decimal values with precision. Prices often include fractions of currency units (e.g., $19.99), which require a data type that supports floating-point arithmetic. The double type is a double-precision 64-bit IEEE 754 floating-point number, which allows it to represent a wide range of values with significant accuracy.
Compared to int, which only stores whole numbers, double can handle both whole numbers and fractional parts, making it ideal for financial calculations where precision is crucial. For example, when you calculate the total cost of items in a shopping cart, or apply discounts and taxes, using double ensures that the decimal points are handled correctly, avoiding issues that could arise from rounding errors:
double price = 19.99;
double discount = 0.15; // 15% discount
double finalPrice = price - (price * discount);
System.out.println(finalPrice); // Outputs: 16.9915
In this example, the double type is used to calculate the final price after applying a discount, ensuring that the calculation includes the necessary precision. If int were used instead, the decimal portion would be lost, leading to inaccurate results.
While float can also represent decimal numbers, it is less precise than double, and in financial applications where precision is critical, double is the preferred choice. The accuracy of double is sufficient for most commercial applications, including inventory management, billing systems, and any scenario where precise calculations involving money are required.
Reference links:
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