> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.internetobject.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.internetobject.org/structure-and-syntax/values/number.md).

# Numeric Values

Internet Object provides accurate numeric representation for everything from simple counting to exact financial arithmetic. It supports three numeric forms — **Number**, **BigInt**, and **Decimal** — each suited to a different requirement.

## Numeric forms

* [Number](/structure-and-syntax/values/number/number.md) — a 64-bit IEEE 754 double-precision value, for general-purpose calculations and fractional values.
* [BigInt](/structure-and-syntax/values/number/bigint.md) — an arbitrary-precision integer, for whole numbers beyond the 64-bit range.
* [Decimal](/structure-and-syntax/values/number/decimal.md) — a fixed-precision decimal with exact arithmetic, for financial values and other cases that require precise decimal representation.

## Number bases and notations

Internet Object accepts several notations. The table distinguishes integer-only bases from fractional notations and gives a recommendation.

> **Integer-only bases.** Binary (base 2), octal (base 8), and hexadecimal (base 16) can represent only integers. For fractional values, use base-10 decimal or scientific notation.

| Notation                  | Supported forms | Recommendation                                                                                             |
| ------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Decimal integer (base 10) | Number, BigInt  | BigInt for large integers; Number for general use                                                          |
| Decimal fractional        | Number, Decimal | Decimal for exact/financial values; Number otherwise                                                       |
| Binary (base 2)           | Number, BigInt  | BigInt for large binary integers; Number otherwise                                                         |
| Octal (base 8)            | Number, BigInt  | BigInt for large octal integers; Number otherwise                                                          |
| Hexadecimal (base 16)     | Number, BigInt  | BigInt for large hex integers; Number otherwise                                                            |
| Scientific notation       | Number, Decimal | Decimal for precise values; Number otherwise                                                               |
| Special values            | Number only     | [NaN and Infinity](/structure-and-syntax/values/number/nan-and-infinity.md) for undefined/infinite results |

## Distinguishing the forms

Each form is identified by a distinct suffix (Number has none):

```ruby
42          # Number  (standard floating-point)
42n         # BigInt  (arbitrary-precision integer)
42.50m      # Decimal (fixed-precision decimal)
```

> **Two senses of "decimal".** *Decimal (base 10)* is the common numeral system used by all forms. *Decimal (the form)* is the fixed-precision type for exact arithmetic.

## Choosing a form

| Use case              | Recommended form | Reason                                 |
| --------------------- | ---------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| General calculations  | Number           | Standard performance and compatibility |
| Financial amounts     | Decimal          | Exact precision, no rounding error     |
| Large counters or IDs | BigInt           | No precision limit for integers        |
| Scientific notation   | Number           | Built-in floating-point support        |
| Cryptographic values  | BigInt           | Handles arbitrarily large integers     |

## See Also

* [Value Representations](/structure-and-syntax/values.md) — all value types
* [NaN and Infinity](/structure-and-syntax/values/number/nan-and-infinity.md) — special numeric values (Number only)
* [Numeric Types](/schema-definition-language/data-types/number.md) — numeric schemas and constraints


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