If you are not running ARC, you need [release number] in the latter case. For a one-time use, the first case is the use of + numberWithFloat: - is probably preferable (less input = less errors, more clear code).
The only real difference I can think of is that if you use them in certain mission-critical applications, especially when loops are involved, when deciding whether to use class or instance methods, there are more complex memory optimization considerations. They are, however, really not applicable here (presumably this is UI code), so just make your life simple and use + numberWithFloat :.
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