Research and Advances

Addendum to a multiple-precision division algorithm

Posted

In [1] Mifsud presented a generalized division algorithm for positive integral operands. The uniqueness of the method was advertised as causing each trial cipher in the quotient to be either equal to or one greater than its final replacement. The method of describing the algorithm was intended to stress the simple mathematical facts that were the basis of the algorithm. However, some difficulty arises with the programming and implementation of the algorithm. Article [1] addressed itself to the calculation of the trial cipher by using the first two digits of the partial dividend (step 6); i.e. it formed [pr+1pr/dr], with pr+1 < dr, where the bracket is used to indicate the integral part of its content. Thus the paper conveniently avoided the possibility of overflow which would happen if pr+1 = dr.

View this article in the ACM Digital Library.

Join the Discussion (0)

Become a Member or Sign In to Post a Comment

The Latest from CACM

Shape the Future of Computing

ACM encourages its members to take a direct hand in shaping the future of the association. There are more ways than ever to get involved.

Get Involved

Communications of the ACM (CACM) is now a fully Open Access publication.

By opening CACM to the world, we hope to increase engagement among the broader computer science community and encourage non-members to discover the rich resources ACM has to offer.

Learn More