Python

Rounding and Truncating Numbers in a Space Context

Context:
In space engineering, data is received from satellites (e.g., altitude or velocity) that may have many decimal places. To display these numbers more simply on a screen or in a report, a program can be used to truncate the number to a specified number of decimal places and also round it if the next digit is greater than or equal to a threshold value. This helps make the data easier to read.

Instructions:
Develop a Python program that meets the following requirements:

Data Input:

• Ask the user to enter a real number (for example, the altitude of a satellite).

• Ask the user how many decimal digits they want to display.

• Ask the user to enter a threshold digit that will be used for rounding.
  
  

Processing:

• Truncate the number to the desired number of decimal digits.

• Check the digit immediately after the desired digits.

• If that digit is greater than or equal to the threshold, add the smallest possible value to round the number; otherwise, leave the number truncated.
  
  

Output:

• Display the final number with exactly the specified number of decimal digits (use string formatting, for example, with f-strings).
  
  

Explanation:
Briefly explain why this method of truncating and rounding can be useful for processing data in space engineering. Mention, for example:

• How it helps simplify the information displayed on a screen.

• Why it’s important to have clear data without too many decimal places.

• How interpretation errors can be avoided by using a threshold for rounding.