CPU number that can be handled

Most CPUs can handle two types of numbers, namely fixed-point and floating-point. Numbers of fixed-point has a specific value on one-digit decimal points. This is indeed limit the reach of possible values for these numbers, but this would be calculated by the CPU faster. Meanwhile, floating-point numbers are numbers expressed in scientific notation, where a number is represented as a decimal number that is multiplied with the rank of 10 (such as 3.14 x 1057). Scientific notation like this is a short way to express what number is very large or very small numbers, and also allow a range of values very well before and after the decimal point. This number is commonly used in representing graphs and scientific work, but the process of arithmetic on floating-point numbers is much more complicated and can be completed in a longer time by the CPU as they may be able to use some CPU cycle rate. Some computers use a processor itself to calculate floating-point numbers called with FPU (also called a math co-processor) that can work in parallel with the CPU to speed up floating-point calculations. FPU is now a standard in many computers because most applications at this time many operate using floating-point numbers.

source:http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_Pengolah_Pusat#Bilangan_yang_dapat_ditangani

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