How many significant digits can a double data type accurately hold?

Study for the GISCI Database Design and Management Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to help you prepare. Get ready for success!

The double data type is a floating-point representation that is defined by the IEEE 754 standard for double-precision numbers. In this representation, a double typically allocates 64 bits of binary data for storage. Due to this architecture, a double can accurately represent approximately 14 to 15 significant digits.

This means that when dealing with numerical values, the precision of a double ensures that calculations remain reliable up to these significant digits. This level of precision is critical in various applications, including scientific calculations and geographic information systems, where even small discrepancies can lead to significant errors.

Other choices do not accurately reflect the capabilities of the double data type. For instance, stating up to 5 or 10 significant digits underestimates the precision the double can achieve, while claiming up to 20 significant digits overestimates its capacity. Therefore, the affirmation that a double can hold up to 14 or 15 significant digits aligns accurately with the knowledge of numerical representation in computer science.

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