- // It's an interesting question whether to use the nominal
- // precision or the active precision here for denormals.
-
- // FormatPrecision = ceil(significandBits / lg_2(10))
- FormatPrecision = (semantics->precision * 59 + 195) / 196;
+ // We use enough digits so the number can be round-tripped back to an
+ // APFloat. The formula comes from "How to Print Floating-Point Numbers
+ // Accurately" by Steele and White.
+ // FIXME: Using a formula based purely on the precision is conservative;
+ // we can print fewer digits depending on the actual value being printed.
+
+ // FormatPrecision = 2 + floor(significandBits / lg_2(10))
+ FormatPrecision = 2 + semantics->precision * 59 / 196;