| FACTOR(1) | User Commands | FACTOR(1) |
factor - factor a number
factor [number]
When factor is invoked without an argument, it waits for a number to be typed in. If you type in a positive number less than 264 (about 1.8e19) it will factor the number and print its prime factors; each one is printed the proper number of times. Then it waits for another number. It exits if it encounters a zero or any non-numeric character.
If factor is invoked with an argument, it factors the number as above and then exits.
Maximum time to factor is proportional to sqrt(n) and occurs when n is prime or the square of a prime.
`Ouch.' for input out of range or for garbage input.
| 8/18/03 | Heirloom Toolchest |