What is the setprecision function in C++?

The setprecision() function is a built-in function that comes with the iomanip library. As the name suggests, it helps us to set the precision (significant figures/decimal​ places) of an output.

Significant figures

The function takes in one argument: the number of significant figures required in the ​output.

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#include <iostream>
#include <iomanip>
using namespace std;
int main() {
float pi = 3.141592;
cout << setprecision(4) << pi;
}

Decimal places

To manipulate the decimal places being displayed in the output, add a fixed keyword before the setprecision() function (as shown below). The function will still take in only ​one argument, but it will be the number of decimal places required in the output.

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#include <iostream>
#include <iomanip>
using namespace std;
int main() {
float pi = 3.141592;
cout << fixed << setprecision(4) << pi;
}
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