Fractional Counting Via Integers

Question

I receive an integer that represents a dollar amount in fractional denominations. I would like an algorithm that can add those numbers without parsing and converting them into doubles or decimals.

For example, I receive the integer 50155, which means 50 and 15.5/32 dollars. I then receive 10210 which is 10 and 21/32 dollars. So 50 15.5/32 + 10 21/32 = 61 4.5/32, thus:

50155 + 10210 = 61045

Again, I want to avoid this:

int a = 50155;
int b = a / 1000;
float c = a % 1000;
float d = b;
d += c / 320f;
// d = 50.484375

I would much prefer this:

int a = 50155;
int b = 10210;
int c = MyClass.Add(a.b); // c = 61045
...
public int Add(int a, int b)
{
    // ?????
}

Thanks in advance for the help!

Answer 1

Well I don't think you need to use floating point...

public static int Add(int a, int b)
{
    int firstWhole = a / 1000;
    int secondWhole = b / 1000;
    int firstFraction = a % 1000; 
    int secondFraction = b % 1000;
    int totalFraction = firstFraction + secondFraction;
    int totalWhole = firstWhole + secondWhole + (totalFraction / 320);
    return totalWhole * 1000 + (totalFraction % 320);
}

Alternatively, you might want to create a custom struct that can convert to and from your integer format, and overloads the + operator. That would allow you to write more readable code which didn't accidentally lead to other integers being treated as this slightly odd format.

EDIT: If you're forced to stick with a "single integer" format but get to adjust it somewhat you may want to consider using 512 instead of 1000. That way you can use simple mask and shift:

public static int Add(int a, int b)
{
    int firstWhole = a >> 9;
    int secondWhole = b >> 9;
    int firstFraction = a & 0x1ff
    int secondFraction = b & 0x1ff;
    int totalFraction = firstFraction + secondFraction;
    int totalWhole = firstWhole + secondWhole + (totalFraction / 320);
    return (totalWhole << 9) + (totalFraction % 320);
}

There's still the messing around with 320, but it's at least somewhat better.