Using F# BigInt in PowerShell

Occasionally I have the need to utilize large precise numbers within PowerShell. Unfortunately, the native data types that we can use are limited in their precision.

• Float: 7 digits
• Double: 16 digits
• Decimal: 29 digits

I have been researching F# and came across a data type called BigInt. I now knew that I could go back to PowerShell and take advantage of this type.

The process to do so is straight forward:
First add a reference to the FSharp.Core assembly

Add-Type -Path 'C:\Program Files (x86)\FSharp-1.9.6.16\bin\fSharp.Core.dll'

Now you do things like:
PS C:> [Microsoft.FSharp.Math.BigInt]::Pow(17,71).toString()
PS C:>2300771122759378216336589429524308
0278517973481542540644504860767306
72752491528319986033

So if you are a fan of http://projecteuler.net/ you now have another tool you can utilize.

Enjoy!