Need help understanding how to use java data types such as int and doubles

[csanch11]

Here's an example:

package rootscan;
public class Rootscan
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
int x1
double x1root;

x1 = 2;
x1root = Math.sqrt(x1);
System.out.println(" the root of " + x1 + " is " + x1root);

I know that double has a size of 8 bytes or 64 bits but why did we use double in particular?

[jim829]

Because it has greater precision than float which is only 32 bits wide. For arbitrary
precision you can use BigDecimal and its supporting methods.

Regards,
Jim

[csanch11]

I think I kind of get it now, thanks!

[Tolls]

It's also because that's what the sqrt() method returns, and Java will put up a warning about loss of precision if you were to stick the result in a float.