title: Python convert string to float
body: <p>I have a string that looks like this:</p>
  
  <pre><code>a = "'92.345'\r\n\r\n"
  a.strip()
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>When I try to convert it into float using <code>np.float(a)</code> or just <code>float(a)</code>, I get </p>
  
  <pre><code>*** Value error: could not convert string to float: '92.345'
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>How do I convert it cleanly to a float?</p>