Overview
Floating-point math is much more complex than integer math. The FPU (historically called a math coprocessor) handles numbers with decimal points and very large or small values using scientific notation (IEEE 754 standard).
Importance
FPUs are critical for:
- 3D Rendering: Calculating coordinates and lighting.
- Scientific Simulations: Physics, weather forecasting, etc.
- Audio/Video Processing.
- AI/Machine Learning: Most neural network weights are floating-point values.
Evolution
In early PCs, the FPU was a separate chip (like the Intel 8087). Since the 486 era, it has been integrated directly into the CPU die.