8087 numeric data processor is also popularly called as Math co-processor, Numeric processor extension and Floating point unit due to its faster calculations. To make easier and faster calculations this math coprocessor was first designed by Intel and was paired up with 8086/8088.
As these instructions are identified by the 8086/8088 processor, it is then specified to the 8087 co-processor to execute further.
The data types supported by 8087 are −
- Binary Integers
- Packed decimal numbers
- Real numbers
- Temporary real format
The most prominent features of 8087 numeric data processor are as follows −
- It supports data of type integer, float, and real types ranging from 2-10 bytes.
- Due to its high processing speed it has the capacity to calculate multiplication of two 64-bits real numbers in ~27 µs and can also calculate square-root in ~35 µs.
- It follows IEEE floating point standards.