4.17 The Euclidean algorithm has been known for over 2000 years and has always been a favorite among number theorists. After these many years, there is now a potential competitor, invented by J. Stein in 1961. Stein"s
algorithms is as follows. Determine gcd(A, B) with A, B >= 1.
STEP 1 Set A1 = A, B1 = B, C1 = 1
STEP n
1. If An = Bn stop. gcd(A, B) = AnCn
2. If An and Bn are both even, setA n+1 = An/2, Bn+1 = Bn/2, Cn+1 = 2Cn
3. If An is even and Bn is odd, set An+1 = An/2, Bn+1 = Bn, Cn+1 = Cn
4. If An is odd and Bn is even, set An+1 = An, Bn+1 = Bn/2, Cn+1 = Cn
5. If An and Bn are both odd, setA n+1 = |An Bn|, Bn + 1 = min(Bn, An), Cn+1 = Cn
Continue to step n + 1.
To get a feel for the two algorithms, compute gcd(2152, 764) using both the Euclidean and
Stein"s algorithm.
a. To get a feel for the two algorithms, compute gcd(2152, 764) using both the Euclidean and
Stein"s algorithm.
b. What is the apparent advantage of Stein"s algorithm over the Euclidean algorithm?
 
 
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