What is the result of dividing a nonzero floating-point number by zero?

When a nonzero floating-point number is divided by zero, the result is typically considered to be either positive or negative infinity, depending on the sign of the original number. In computer programming and mathematical contexts, dividing by zero does not yield a defined number, but rather it represents a mathematical concept that can lead to infinite values.

For example, if you divide a positive number by zero, it yields positive infinity, while dividing a negative number by zero yields negative infinity. This behavior is consistent across many programming languages and mathematical theories that handle floating-point calculations.

While other concepts like 'undefined' or 'not a number' may be discussed in different contexts—such as cases where both the numerator and denominator are zero, which leads to indeterminate forms—dividing a non-zero value by zero specifically leads to the recognized results of infinity or negative infinity. Thus, the correct understanding is that dividing a nonzero floating-point number by zero results in infinity or negative infinity, depending on the context.