= Arbitrary-precision integer
= Big integer
{synonym}
An <arbitrary-precision integer> stores an <integer> using a variable number of machine words. Unlike a fixed-width <integer>, it grows when more <binary digits> are needed. The sign and a finite <sequence> of base-$2^w$ digits represent its exact value.
For example, the <integer> $10^{100}+7$ requires hundreds of <bits> but no rounding. <Arbitrary-precision integer arithmetic> operates on these representations; it is distinct from approximate <floating-point arithmetic>. Memory and computation still impose practical bounds, so arbitrary precision does not mean infinite available storage.
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