1. An apparatus for performing optical matrix-vector multiplication using floating-point arithmetic comprising: a source of collimated light; first means disposed to be illuminated by the collimated light for providing an encoded representation of a first vector element in a serial bit stream, the first vector encoded representation providing means is adapted to have the bit stream incrementally displaced in a first direction past the collimated light source; second means disposed to be illuminated by the portion of collimated light passing through the first vector encoded representation providing means for providing an encoded representation of a matrix in parallel bit streams, the matrix encoded representation providing means is adapted to have the bit stream incrementally displaced in a second direction that is opposite said first direction as it passes the collimated light source and the interposed first vector encoded representation providing means, the encoded representations of the first vector and matrix are normalized floating-point representation, and the passing of collimated light that traverses the encoded representations of the first vector encoded representations of the matrix encoded representation providing means effects a multiplication and a convolving thereof; and means disposed in an aligned relationship with the first vector encoded representation providing means and the matrix encoded representation providing means for adding multiplied encoded information.