1. Learn how real numbers can be approximated inside a computer memory using a form of scientific notation
2. Learn what some of the limitations and trade-offs are
3. Learn how computers do real arithmetic
4. Learn what overflow and underflow
5. Learn about normalized, unnormalized and denormalized numbers
6. Get introduced to the IEEE 754 Floating Point Standard
7. Investigate how parallel hardware can speed up real arithmetic

This chapter is self-contained, although the data representation schemes discussed in Chapter 6 are referenced.