EC
FloatDomainError
RubyERRORNotableMath

Float value outside mathematical domain

Quick Answer

Validate inputs to Math functions — sqrt requires non-negative, log requires positive values.

What this means

A subclass of RangeError raised specifically for floating-point domain errors, such as calling Math functions with values outside their domain (e.g., sqrt of a negative number).

Why it happens
  1. 1Calling Math.sqrt with a negative number
  2. 2Calling Math.log with zero or a negative number
  3. 3Domain violations in trigonometric or exponential functions

Fix

Validate input before math operations

Validate input before math operations
def safe_sqrt(n)
  raise ArgumentError, "sqrt requires non-negative input" if n < 0
  Math.sqrt(n)
end

Why this works

Pre-validation gives a meaningful error message before the C-level domain check fires.

Code examples
Math.sqrt with negativeruby
Math.sqrt(-1)
# Math::DomainError: Numerical argument is out of domain - "sqrt"
Math.log with zeroruby
Math.log(0)
# Math::DomainError: Numerical argument is out of domain - "log"
Using Complex for negativesruby
require 'complex'
Complex(-1).sqrt   # => (0+1.0i)  — no error
Sources
Official documentation ↗

Ruby Core Documentation

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