Python infinity representation

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Python is a dynamic language that provides several ways of representing “Infinity”. “Infinity” is an undefined number that is defined as either “Positive” or “Negative”. The arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc. when applied with the “Infinity” value produce a positive or negative infinite number.

This write-up explores several ways/approaches to create and utilize “infinity” in Python.

Representation of Python Infinity

The following methods are utilized to represent Python “infinity”:

• “inf” Constant.
• “inf” Constant.
• “float()” Function.
• “decimal” Module.

Method 1: Represent an Infinity Using the “math.inf” Constant

The inbuilt “math” module provides the constants named “math.inf” and “-math.inf” to retrieve the positive and negative infinite values, respectively.

Example

The below example code is utilized to represent an infinity:

import math
print ('Positive Infinity: ', math.inf)
print ('Negative Infinity: ', -math.inf)

In the above code, the “math” module is imported and the “math.inf” and “-math.inf” constants retrieve the positive and negative infinity values, respectively.

Output

The positive and negative infinity has been shown in the above snippet.

Method 2: Represent an Infinity Using the “np.inf” Constant

The “Numpy” library provides a constant term “np.inf” to represent the “positive infinity” in Python. It can represent an infinite value in a numerical computation or comparison.

Example

Here is an example code for representing an infinity:

import numpy as np
print ('Positive Infinity: ', np.inf)
print ('Negative Infinity: ', -np.inf)

According to the above code, the “np.inf” and “-np.inf” constants are utilized to retrieve the positive and negative infinity values, respectively in Python.

Output

In the above output, both the positive and negative infinity values are shown accordingly.

Method 3: Represent an Infinity Using the “float()” Function

The “float()” function can be utilized to retrieve a floating-point number in Python. This function can also be utilized to represent a value of infinity that is positive or negative.

Example

The following code snippet represents an infinity:

print ('Positive Infinity: ', float('inf'))
print ('Negative Infinity: ', float('-inf'))

Here in this code, the inbuilt “float()” function takes the “inf” and “-inf” as its arguments individually and retrieves the positive and negative infinite values accordingly.

Output

Method 4: Represent an Infinity Utilizing the “decimal” Module

Python provides the “decimal” module for accurately rounding floating point arithmetic. The “positive infinity” and “negative infinity” can also be represented using the “Decimal” class in Python.

Example

The given code is utilized to represent an infinity:

from decimal import Decimal

print ('Positive Infinity: ', Decimal('Infinity'))
print ('Negative Infinity: ', Decimal('-Infinity'))

In these code lines, the “Decimal” class is imported from the “decimal” module. The “Decimal()” class takes “Infinity” and “-Infinity” as its arguments and retrieves the positive and negative infinite values, respectively.

Output

Conclusion

The “math.inf”, “np.inf”, “float()” function, or the “decimal” module are utilized to represent positive and negative infinity values in Python. This tutorial presented a detailed guide on “infinity representation” in Python utilizing multiple examples.

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