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Difference between revisions of "Euclidean algorithm"

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(Comment: Connexion with continued fractions)
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A method for finding the [[greatest common divisor]] of two integers, two polynomials (and, in general, two elements of a [[Euclidean ring]]) or the common measure of two intervals. It was described in geometrical form in Euclid's Elements (3rd century B.C.).
 
A method for finding the [[greatest common divisor]] of two integers, two polynomials (and, in general, two elements of a [[Euclidean ring]]) or the common measure of two intervals. It was described in geometrical form in Euclid's Elements (3rd century B.C.).
  
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\end{array} \tag{*}
 
\end{array} \tag{*}
 
$$
 
$$
where the $n_i$  are positive integers and $0 \le b_i < b_{i-1}$, until a remainder 0 is obtained. The series of equations (*) finishes thus:
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where the $n_i$  are positive integers and $0 \le b_i < b_{i-1}$, until a remainder $b_{k+1} = 0$ is obtained. The series of equations (*) finishes thus:
 
$$
 
$$
 
b_{k-2} = n_{k-1} b_{k-1} + b_k \,,\ \ \  b_{k-1} = n_k b_k \ .
 
b_{k-2} = n_{k-1} b_{k-1} + b_k \,,\ \ \  b_{k-1} = n_k b_k \ .
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====Comments====
 
====Comments====
The Euclidean algorithm to determine the [[Greatest common divisor|greatest common divisor]] of two integers $a \ge b > 0$ is quite fast. It can be shown that the number of steps required is at most
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The Euclidean algorithm to determine the [[greatest common divisor]] of two integers $a \ge b > 0$ is quite fast. It can be shown that the number of steps required is at most
 
$$
 
$$
\frac{\log a}{\log((1+\sqrt5)/2)}
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\frac{\log a}{\log((1+\sqrt5)/2)} \ .
 
$$
 
$$
 
A slight extension of the algorithm also yields a solution of $ax + by = \mathrm{gcd}(a,b)$ in $x,y \in \mathbb{Z}$.
 
A slight extension of the algorithm also yields a solution of $ax + by = \mathrm{gcd}(a,b)$ in $x,y \in \mathbb{Z}$.
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====References====
 
====References====
 
<table><TR><TD valign="top">[b1]</TD> <TD valign="top">  John Stillwell.  ''Mathematics and Its History'', 3rd revised and updated ed. Springer (2010).  ISBN 978-1-4419-6052-8 Zbl 1207.01003</TD></TR></table>
 
<table><TR><TD valign="top">[b1]</TD> <TD valign="top">  John Stillwell.  ''Mathematics and Its History'', 3rd revised and updated ed. Springer (2010).  ISBN 978-1-4419-6052-8 Zbl 1207.01003</TD></TR></table>
 
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Revision as of 18:13, 27 December 2014

2020 Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary: 11A05 Secondary: 13F0768W40 [68W40) MSN][68W40 ZBL]

A method for finding the greatest common divisor of two integers, two polynomials (and, in general, two elements of a Euclidean ring) or the common measure of two intervals. It was described in geometrical form in Euclid's Elements (3rd century B.C.).

For two positive integers $a \ge b$, the method is as follows. Division with remainder of $a$ by $b$ always leads to the result $a = n b + b_1$, where the quotient $n$ is a positive integer and the remainder $b_1$ is either 0 or a positive integer less than $b$, $0 \le b_1 < b$. Successive divisions are performed: $$ \begin{array}{rcl} a &=& n b + b_1 \\ b & = & n_1 b_1 + b_2 \\ b_1 & = & n_2 b_2 + b_3 \\ & \cdots & \end{array} \tag{*} $$ where the $n_i$ are positive integers and $0 \le b_i < b_{i-1}$, until a remainder $b_{k+1} = 0$ is obtained. The series of equations (*) finishes thus: $$ b_{k-2} = n_{k-1} b_{k-1} + b_k \,,\ \ \ b_{k-1} = n_k b_k \ . $$

The least positive remainder $b_k$ in this process is the greatest common divisor of $a$ and $b$.

The Euclidean algorithms for polynomials or for intervals are similar to the one for integers. In the case of incommensurable intervals the Euclidean algorithm leads to an infinite process.


Comments

The Euclidean algorithm to determine the greatest common divisor of two integers $a \ge b > 0$ is quite fast. It can be shown that the number of steps required is at most $$ \frac{\log a}{\log((1+\sqrt5)/2)} \ . $$ A slight extension of the algorithm also yields a solution of $ax + by = \mathrm{gcd}(a,b)$ in $x,y \in \mathbb{Z}$.

References

[a1] W.J. Leveque, "Topics in number theory" , 1 , Addison-Wesley (1956) pp. Chapt. 2

Comments

Euler observed that the Euclidean algorithm applied to a pair of natural numbers $(a,b)$ yields the continued fraction development of the rational number $a/b$.

References

[b1] John Stillwell. Mathematics and Its History, 3rd revised and updated ed. Springer (2010). ISBN 978-1-4419-6052-8 Zbl 1207.01003
How to Cite This Entry:
Euclidean algorithm. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Euclidean_algorithm&oldid=35888
This article was adapted from an original article by BSE-3 (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article