### 12.25.1 Types of Numeric Values

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 The scope of precision math for exact-value operations includes the exact-value data types (integer and [`DECIMAL`](fixed-point-types.html) types) and exact-value numeric literals. Approximate-value data types and numeric literals are handled as floating-point numbers.

 Exact-value numeric literals have an integer part or fractional part, or both. They may be signed. Examples: `1`, `.2`, `3.4`, `-5`, `-6.78`, `+9.10`.

 Approximate-value numeric literals are represented in scientific notation with a mantissa and exponent. Either or both parts may be signed. Examples: `1.2E3`, `1.2E-3`, `-1.2E3`, `-1.2E-3`.

 Two numbers that look similar may be treated differently. For example, `2.34` is an exact-value (fixed-point) number, whereas `2.34E0` is an approximate-value (floating-point) number.

 The [`DECIMAL`](fixed-point-types.html) data type is a fixed-point type and calculations are exact. In MySQL, the [`DECIMAL`](fixed-point-types.html) type has several synonyms: [`NUMERIC`](fixed-point-types.html), [`DEC`](fixed-point-types.html), [`FIXED`](fixed-point-types.html). The integer types also are exact-value types.

 The [`FLOAT`](floating-point-types.html) and [`DOUBLE`](floating-point-types.html) data types are floating-point types and calculations are approximate. In MySQL, types that are synonymous with [`FLOAT`](floating-point-types.html) or [`DOUBLE`](floating-point-types.html) are [`DOUBLE PRECISION`](floating-point-types.html) and [`REAL`](floating-point-types.html).

