# PHP Floating Points

Floating point numbers or floats for short, are any number with a decimal in them. To set a variable to a floating point number, simply provide a number literal that contains a decimal.

<?php 
  // setting a variable to a float
  $float = 3.14;
?>

# Mathematical Expressions

If a mathematical expression contains a float or a fraction or if the results of the expression is a number contains a decimal the result returned will be a floating point number.

<?php 
  // setting a variable to a float
  $float = 3.14;
  
  // adding 7 to a float
  echo $float + 7; // 10.14

  // this expression will result in a float
  echo 4 / 3; // 1.3333333333333
?>

# More Mathematical Functions

PHP has many predefined Math Functions that are specifically for working with floats.

# round() Function

The round() function will return the rounded value of the provided number by the specified precision.

<?php
  // setting a variable to a float
  $float = 3.14;
  
  // rounding $float to 1 decimal place
  echo round($float, 1); // 3.1
?>

# ceil() Function

The ceil() function will return the next highest integer of the provided number.

<?php
  // setting a variable to a float
  $float = 3.14;
  
  // rounding $float to 1 decimal place
  echo ceil($float); // 4
?>

# floor() Function

The floor() function will return the next lowest integer of the provided number.

<?php
  // setting a variable to a float
  $float = 3.14;
  
  // rounding $float to 1 decimal place
  echo floor($float); // 3
?>

# Variable Handling Functions

Variable handling functions are used to receive information about a variable or to test the content contained in a variable.

# is_int() Function

The is_int() function will find whether the data type of a variable is an integer. The function will return TRUE if the data type is an integer or FALSE if it is not.

<?php
  // setting a variables
  $float = 3.14;
  $integer = 3;
  
  // checking if $integer is an integer
  var_dump(is_int($integer)); // bool(true)

  // check if $float is an integer
  var_dump(is_int($float)); // bool(false)
?>

# is_float() Function

The is_float() function will find whether the data type of a variable is a floating point number. The function will return TRUE if the data type is a float or FALSE if it is not.

<?php
  // setting a variables
  $float = 3.14;
  $integer = 3;
  
  // checking if $integer is a float
  var_dump(is_float($integer)); // bool(false)

  // check if $float is a float
  var_dump(is_float($float)); // bool(true)
?>

# is_numeric() Function

The is_numeric() function will find whether the data type of a variable is a number or a numeric string. The function will return TRUE if the data type is a number or a numeric string or FALSE if it is not.

<?php
  // setting a variables
  $float = 3.14;
  $integer = 3;
  
  // checking if $integer is a number
  var_dump(is_numeric($integer)); // bool(true)

  // check if $float is a number
  var_dump(is_numeric($float)); // bool(true)
?>