Abstract

We describe a new method for numeric computations, which we call affine arithmetic (AA). This model is similar to standard interval arithmetic, to the extent that it automatically keeps track of rounding and truncation errors for each computed value. However, by taking into account correlations between operands and sub-formulas, AA is able to provide much tighter bounds for the computed quantities, with errors that are approximately quadratic in the uncertainty of the input variables. We also describe two applications of AA to computer graphics problems, where this feature is particularly valuable: namely, ray tracing and the construction of octrees for implicit surfaces.

Citations