From: Sam Duncan <sduncan@...>
Date: 2012-12-05T03:41:59+09:00
Subject: Re: Extract number (float) from string

On 12/05/2012 07:31 AM, Alexander G. wrote:
> Hi Please advice how to extract exact number from string:
>
> $5.99 /LB
>
> I need to get 5.99 as float number
>
> Thank you in advance
>
How about;

 > irb
1.9.3p125 :001 > s = '$5.99 /LB'
  => "$5.99 /LB"
1.9.3p125 :002 > s.match(/^\$(\d+\.\d+).*$/)[1].to_f
  => 5.99

You may want to split it into steps and do some error checking, or just 
wrap it in a rescue, depending on where your input comes from and where 
your output is going.

Sam