1. What is the Ceil Function?

The ceil function (short for "ceiling") is a mathematical function that rounds a number up to the nearest integer. It always rounds up, regardless of the decimal value.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the ceil function:

Examples:

• ceil(3.2) = 4
• ceil(5.0) = 5
• ceil(-2.7) = -2

3. Practical Applications

Details: The ceil function is commonly used in programming, mathematics, and real-world applications like calculating required materials (where partial units must be rounded up).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter any real number (positive or negative) and the calculator will return the smallest integer that is greater than or equal to your input.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between ceil and floor?
A: Ceil rounds up to the nearest integer, while floor rounds down to the nearest integer.

Q2: How does ceil handle negative numbers?
A: Ceil still rounds "up" toward positive infinity, so -2.3 becomes -2.

Q3: Is ceil the same as rounding up?
A: Yes, ceil always rounds up to the next integer, regardless of the decimal value.

Q4: What's the time complexity of ceil?
A: Ceil is an O(1) operation in most programming languages.

Q5: Can I use ceil with non-numeric values?
A: No, ceil only works with numeric values. Non-numeric inputs will typically return NaN (Not a Number).