Math.NET Numerics
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(*** hide ***)
#I "../../out/lib/net40"
#r "MathNet.Numerics.dll"
#r "MathNet.Numerics.FSharp.dll"
(**
Euclid & Number Theory
======================
The static `Euclid` class in the `MathNet.Numerics` namespace provides routines related
to the domain of integers.
Remainder vs. Canonical Modulus
-------------------------------
Remainder and modulus are closely related operations with a long tradition of confusing
on with the other. The % operator in most computer languages implements one of the two,
but some even leave which one as an implementation detail (e.g. C-1990).
*Warning: In C#, like most languages, % is the remainder operator, not the modulus!*
#### Remainder
The **remainder** is the amount left over after performing the devision of a dividend
by a divisor, $\frac{dividend}{divisor}$, which do not divide evenly, that is,
where the result of the division cannot be expressed as an integer. It is thus natural
that the **remainder has the sign of the dividend**.
In C# and F#, the remainder is available as `%` operator, in VB as `Mod`.
Alternatively you can use the Reminder function:
[lang=csharp]
Euclid.Remainder( 5, 3); // = 2, such that 5 = 1*3 + 2
Euclid.Remainder(-5, 3); // = -2, such that -5 = -1*3 - 2
Euclid.Remainder( 5, -3); // = 2, such that 5 = -1*-3 + 2
Euclid.Remainder(-5, -3); // = -2, such that -5 = 1*-3 - 2
#### Modulus
On the other hand, in modular arithmetic numbers "wrap around" upon reaching a certain
value n, or when crossing zero. Two real numbers are said to be *congruent modulo n*
when their difference is an integer multiple of n. The modulo operator normalizes the dividend
to the fundamental or smallest values congruent modulo n, where n is the divisor, and thus
to the interval from 0 to n (including 0 but excluding n, possibly negative). It is thus natural that
the **modulus always has the sign of the divisor**.
[lang=csharp]
Euclid.Modulus( 5, 3); // = 2, congruent modulo 3 by 5 - 1*3
Euclid.Modulus(-5, 3); // = 1, congruent modulo 3 by -5 + 2*3
Euclid.Modulus( 5, -3); // = -1, congruent modulo -3 by 5 + 2*-3
Euclid.Modulus(-5, -3); // = -2, congruent modulo -3 by -5 - 1*-3
A typical case where the modulus appears in daily life is when grouping students into 3 groups
by letting them line up and count through as 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 etc. This way, each student will
end up in the group of their order within the line modulus 3.
Integer Properties
------------------
#### Even or Odd?
Very simple question yet still somewhat error-prone to implement such that it works correctly
for both positive and negative integers: is a number even or odd?
* `IsEven(number)`
* `IsOdd(number)`
#### Powers of two and Squares
Powers of two are prevalent in computer engineering. For performance reasons it is often preferable
to align data in blocks where the size is a power of two, i.e. $2^k$. The `CeilingToPowerOfTwo` function
helps in such situations by finding the smallest perfect power of two larger than or equal to
the provided argument. There is also `IsPowerOfTwo` to determine whether a number is such a power of two,
and `PowerOfTwo` to compute it efficiently.
When switching the operands of $2^k$ we get the square $k^2$. `IsPerfectSquare` determines whether
the integer argument is a perfect square, i.e. a square of an integer.
Euclid's Algorithm
------------------
#### Greatest Common Divisor
The `GreatestCommonDivisor` evaluates the **GCD** of either two integers or a full list or array of them
using Euclid's algorithm. An extended version also returns how exactly the GCD can be composed from two
integer arguments.
[lang=csharp]
Euclid.GreatestCommonDivisor(10, 15, 45); // 5
long x, y;
Euclid.ExtendedGreatestCommonDivisor(45, 18, out x, out y) // 9
// -> x=1, y=-2, hence 9 == 1*45 + -2*18
#### Least Common Multiple
Closely related to the GCD, `LeastCommonMultiple` returns the **LCM** of two or more integers.
[lang=csharp]
Euclid.LeastCommonMultiple(3, 5, 6); // 30
*)