Precision and Scale of a Number

Programming Java 

Precision is the total number of significant digits in a number.

Scale is the number of digits to the right of the decimal point.

Examples:

Negative Scale

For a negative scale value, we apply the following formula:

result = (given number) * 10 ^{-(scale value)}

Example

Given number = 1234.56
scale = -5

 ->  (1234.56) * 10-(-5)
 ->  (1234.56) * 10+5
 ->  123456000