# Intel 80287

> floating-point unit for the Intel 80286 series of microprocessors

**Wikidata**: [Q2716936](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2716936)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80287)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intel-80287

## Summary
The Intel 80287 (also known as the 287 or i287) is a floating-point unit designed for the Intel 80286 series of microprocessors. Manufactured by the American technology company Intel, it functions as a coprocessor dedicated to executing floating-point arithmetic. The hardware utilizes the x87 instruction set to handle complex mathematical calculations.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** The Intel 80287 is a floating-point unit (FPU) and a coprocessor specifically for floating-point arithmetic.
*   **Target Processor:** It is designed to function with the Intel 80286 series of microprocessors.
*   **Instruction Set:** The unit operates using the x87 instruction set architecture.
*   **Manufacturer:** The device is produced by Intel, an American multinational corporation in the semiconductor industry.
*   **Aliases:** It is alternatively referred to as the 287, i287, or simply 80287.
*   **Manufacturer Origin:** Intel is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, United States, and was founded on July 18, 1968.
*   **Industry Context:** The device falls under the semiconductor and electrical industries.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the Intel 80287?
A: The Intel 80287 serves as a floating-point unit (FPU) for the Intel 80286 processor series. Its primary role is to act as a coprocessor that handles floating-point arithmetic, offloading these specific mathematical tasks from the main CPU.

### Q: Which instruction set does the Intel 80287 use?
A: The Intel 80287 utilizes the x87 instruction set. This architecture is standard for Intel's line of math coprocessors.

### Q: Who manufactures the Intel 80287?
A: The Intel 80287 is manufactured by Intel, a major American technology company in the semiconductor industry.

## Why It Matters
The Intel 80287 represents a specific era in computer architecture where floating-point arithmetic was handled by a separate physical chip rather than being integrated directly into the main CPU. As a companion to the Intel 80286, this unit allowed systems to perform complex mathematical calculations and scientific computations with greater precision and efficiency than the main processor could achieve alone.

By offloading these tasks to a dedicated coprocessor using the x87 instruction set, the 80287 freed up the main CPU to handle general system operations. This division of labor was crucial for early computing applications requiring high-precision math, such as spreadsheets, computer-aided design (CAD), and scientific analysis. The chip stands as a significant product from Intel, a leader in the semiconductor industry founded in 1968, illustrating the modular evolution of early microprocessor technology.

## Notable For
*   **Dedicated Coprocessor:** It is distinct for being a separate floating-point unit (FPU) rather than an integrated component.
*   **x87 Architecture:** It is a hardware implementation of the x87 instruction set.
*   **Intel Lineage:** It is part of Intel's historic line of math coprocessors (following the 8087) designed for specific CPU generations.
*   **Standardization:** It provided a standardized hardware solution for floating-point arithmetic for 80286-based systems.

## Body

### Product Identity and Nomenclature
The Intel 80287 is identified as a floating-point unit (FPU) and is classified as a coprocessor. It is frequently referred to by the aliases **287** and **i287**. In the context of hardware taxonomy, it falls under the class of "floating-point unit" and serves specifically as a "coprocessor for floating point arithmetic."

### Technical Specifications and Compatibility
This unit is engineered specifically for the **Intel 80286 series of microprocessors**. It operates using the **x87 instruction set**, which manages floating-point operations. The device is categorized broadly within the semiconductor and electrical industries.

### Manufacturer Details
The Intel 80287 is produced by **Intel**, an American multinational technology company.
*   **Organization Stats:** Intel was founded on July 18, 1968.
*   **Headquarters:** The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, United States.
*   **Industry:** Intel operates within the semiconductor and electrical industries.

### Visual and Digital Presence
The component is visually documented in the Wikimedia Commons category "Intel 80287," with specific images available such as the file `D80287-6.jpg`. It maintains a digital presence across multiple Wikipedia languages (including English, German, French, and Spanish) and is indexed in the Google Knowledge Graph with the ID `/g/1234hgbw`. It has a sitelink count of 11 across various knowledge platforms.