2019/01/30 by M. H. van Emden, van Emden, M. H.
Computer Science · Mathematics · #FOS: Computer and information sciences #FOS: Mathematics #G.1.0 #History and Theory of Mathematics #Mathematics and Applications #Numerical Analysis (math.NA) #Numerical Methods and Algorithms #Programming Languages (cs.PL)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1901.10961
openalex publication_date 2019/01/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Multiplication and exponentiation can be defined by equations in which one of the operands is written as the sum of powers of two. When these powers are non-negative integers, the operand is integer; without this restriction it is a fraction. The defining equation can be used in evaluation mode or in solving mode. In the former case we obtain "Egyptian" multiplication, dating from the 17th century BC. In solving mode we obtain an efficient algorithm for division by repeated subtraction, dating from the 20th century AD. In the exponentiation case we also distinguish between evaluation mode and solving mode. Evaluation mode yields a possibly new algorithm for raising to a fractional power. Solving mode yields the algorithm for logarithms invented by Briggs in the 17th century AD.