EUCLID'S ALGORITHM
\jˈuːklɪdz ˈalɡəɹˌɪθəm], \jˈuːklɪdz ˈalɡəɹˌɪθəm], \j_ˈuː_k_l_ɪ_d_z ˈa_l_ɡ_ə_ɹ_ˌɪ_θ_ə_m]\
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(Or "Euclidean Algorithm") An algorithm forfinding the greatest common divisor (GCD) of two numbers.It relies on the identitygcd(a, b) = gcd(a-b, b)To find the GCD of two numbers by this algorithm, repeatedlyreplace the larger by subtracting the smaller from it untilthe two numbers are equal. E.g. 132, 168 -> 132, 36 -> 96, 36-> 60, 36 -> 24, 36 -> 24, 12 -> 12, 12 so the GCD of 132 and168 is 12.This algorithm requires only subtraction and comparisonoperations but can take a number of steps proportional to thedifference between the initial numbers (e.g. gcd(1, 1001) willtake 1000 steps).
By Denis Howe