title: calculating volume using fractions (decimals) and getting strange results for filler program
body: <p>So I'm trying to write a program that involves very small volumes, such as, for instance, a .5-cm box, .5 cm on each side.</p>
  
  <p>1/2*1/2*1/2=1/8 cm^3, right?</p>
  
  <p>But this seems wrong, because 1/8 (.125) is a much smaller number than 1/2 (.5).  By way of comparison, let's say we look at the mm instead:</p>
  
  <p>.5 cm = 5 mm</p>
  
  <p>5*5*5=125 mm^3.  This seems right, because 125 is way bigger than 5.</p>
  
  <p>Sorry for the idiotic question, but I'm trying to write a program involving this and the math is hanging me up, and it seems like an obvious answer that I'm hoping someone can clarify it for me.  I've Googled around for the answer but can't find it! </p>