Python math.inf Constant

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The Python math.inf constant represents positive infinity. It is a predefined value available in Python's math module and is used to represent a number that is greater than any finite number.

In general mathematics, infinity (∞) is used to describe situations where a value grows without bound or where a mathematical expression does not have a finite result. Infinity is not a number in the conventional sense; rather, it is a concept that indicates unboundedness or limitless growth.

Syntax

Following is the basic syntax of the Python math.inf constant −

math.inf

Return Value

The constant returns the value of a floating-point positive infinity.

Example 1

In the following example, we are initializing a variable "max_value" with positive infinity (math.inf). This can be useful in situations where you want to ensure a variable holds the maximum possible value and you are comparing it against other values −

import math
max_value = math.inf
print("The maximum value is:", max_value)

Output

The output obtained is as follows −

The maximum value is: inf

Example 2

Here, we are using the math.inf constant to find the minimum value in a list of numbers. We initialize the "minimum_value" variable with positive infinity (math.inf) and then iterate through the list. If a number in the list is smaller than the current "minimum_value", it updates the "minimum_value" accordingly −

import math
numbers = [10, 5, 8, 12, 15, 20]
minimum_value = math.inf
for num in numbers:
   if num < minimum_value:
      minimum_value = num
print("The minimum value in the list is:", minimum_value)

Output

Following is the output of the above code −

The minimum value in the list is: 5

Example 3

In this example, we perform an arithmetic operation where positive infinity (math.inf) is added to another number −

import math
result = math.inf + 100
print("The result of infinity plus 100 is:", result)

Output

Since adding any finite number to positive infinity results in positive infinity, the result will be positive infinity as shown below −

The result of infinity plus 100 is: inf

Example 4

In mathematics, dividing a finite number by infinity results in zero. Now, we perform division by positive infinity −

import math
x = 10
result = x / math.inf
print("The result of dividing", x, "by infinity is:", result)

Output

We get the output as shown below −

The result of dividing 10 by infinity is: 0.0