I got through only part of reducing long division to medium division before I couldn’t understand the nomenclature being used in the algorithms. If I picked up TAOCP from the begging does it help you get to the point of reading this or is there other prerequisites you need.
It probably wouldn't help, and TAOCP from the beginning is too many pages.
It would help to read the division algorithm chapter.
I introduce my own notation from medium->small division onwards. If it's any help u'', v'' are the limbs that the division instruction sees (the ones pertinent to qhat) and u',v' are all the lower limbs.
Get a copy of Vol 2 and read section 4.1 - Positional number systems - before tackling 4.3 - Multiple-precision arithmetic. It will give you the necessary grounding and notation. It's also an absolutely fascinating topic and will change the way you think about numbers.
If you have vol 2 you also might as well read at least the intro to chapter 3 which is beautiful.
Comments
I got through only part of reducing long division to medium division before I couldn’t understand the nomenclature being used in the algorithms. If I picked up TAOCP from the begging does it help you get to the point of reading this or is there other prerequisites you need.
It probably wouldn't help, and TAOCP from the beginning is too many pages. It would help to read the division algorithm chapter.
I introduce my own notation from medium->small division onwards. If it's any help u'', v'' are the limbs that the division instruction sees (the ones pertinent to qhat) and u',v' are all the lower limbs.
I appreciate the info but it’s unfortunately no help.
I have a passing interest in mathematics and especially comp sci but I routinely find myself stymied just by trying to understand the notation.
Get a copy of Vol 2 and read section 4.1 - Positional number systems - before tackling 4.3 - Multiple-precision arithmetic. It will give you the necessary grounding and notation. It's also an absolutely fascinating topic and will change the way you think about numbers.
If you have vol 2 you also might as well read at least the intro to chapter 3 which is beautiful.