[Octave-bug-tracker] [bug #42589] Inaccurate results with the colon operator

[Rik]

Follow-up Comment #17, bug #42589 (project octave):

I know all about non-linearity and the fact that small values can make large
differences.  My point is that at 2e-17 you are below machine precision and
shouldn't expect more out of a numerical analysis package.  If I solve a
system of equations Ax = b with the left division operator I would be quite
happy if every component of the solution x was within 2e-17 of the "true"
result.

In this case, Octave has a range operator which produces results within eps of
the "true" result.  So, technically, one should be satisfied the current
situation.  However, I pointed out that this is a psychological issue where
people really expect to see zero and which could generate negative publicity
for Octave.

Moreover, since we do have a way to be even more accurate than eps, we might
as well take up that opportunity.

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