***************************************************************************
Subject: Readme file for the RPN large-integer calculator
Author : Sjoerd.J.Schaper
Date   : 12-27-2004
Code   : Visual Basic 4.0
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Preliminaries

 Copy "RPNcalc.exe", "bignumVB.dll", "primflgs.bin" and
 the Visual Basic 4.0 runtime library "vb40032.dll" into
 the same directory. Add "RPNcalc.html" for quick reference.

 For Win 10, right-click on "RPNcalc.exe", choose Properties,
 set Compatibility mode to Win 7 and check Reduced color mode.

Usage

 Note there are no {digit} and {enter} buttons on the form:
 take the mouse in your left hand, so you can operate the
 numeric keypad with your right hand.
 Toggle [Num Lock] On, type numbers with the digit keys,
 separate multiple numbers with [Enter], and press
 an operator button to process the bottom of the stack.
 That's all there is to Reverse Polish (or postfix) Notation (RPN)!

 Some operations might take forever for big numbers:
 press F1 or [Alt]+R; B to break-off.
 Press F4 or [Alt]+R; Q to quit the program.

 See file "RPNCalc.htm" for a description of all functions.

 Though {quadr}, {conv}, {exp}, {log}, {p» r} and {r »p}
 report in decimal format, this calculator does not
 directly operate on decimal fractions.
 If input contains a decimal point, first press [Enter]
 to convert to a rational fraction, then proceed in
 rational ('Q') mode, or call a rational function.

 Hexadecimal input has to be indicated with prefix &H: press letter h.

 Learn more about RPN at
  http://www.hpmuseum.org/rpn.htm


Examples

 To compute the sum of 2 and 3, key in
 2 [Enter]
 3 {+}
 and find the result in the display.

 {clear}
 Computing the golden ratio phi to a few hundred decimals is nearly
 as simple. Key in
 1350 {fibo}
 1351 {fibo}
 to push two large consecutive Fibonacci numbers on the stack,
 then press {conv} to display the decimal expansion of their ratio.
 Input 55 and press {confrc} {conv} for a much simpler approximation.

 {clear}
 Fibonacci fact: F_gcd(m, n) = gcd(F_m, F_n), for example
 1717 [Enter]
 1919
 {gcd} {fibo} equals
 [Enter] {drop} {drop}
 {fibo} {x«»y} {fibo} {gcd}
 {roll}

 {clear}
 Pascal's triangle contains the figurate numbers along its diagonals.
 The triangular numbers T_n = n × (n + 1)/ 2 are found as
 n + 1 choose 2, for example
 2662 [Enter]
 {inc} {×} {shr}
 [Enter] equals
 2663 [Enter]
 2 {bino}

 {clear}
 The continued fraction algorithm finds rational
 approximations to a fraction in decimal notation
 1.618034
 [Enter]
 convert to a rational fraction
 [Enter] {shl} {sqrt} {confrc}
 gives best approximation F_17 / F_16
 {last} {sqrt} {confrc}
 gives simpler fraction F_9 / F_8.

 {clear}
 For the nice continued fraction of cotanh(1)
 = (e^2 + 1) / (e^2 - 1), key in
 2 [Enter]
 1 {exp} {sto} {+}
 [Enter] [Enter] {rcl} {-}
 [Enter] {confrc}

 {clear}
 For the related continued fraction of tan(1)
 input both absolute value 1 and argument 1 in rational form
 1  3 times [Enter]
 {p» r}
 and convert to rectangular coordinates cos(1) and sin(1).
 {drop} {drop} {x«»y}
 throw away the denominator and reciprocate ratio (x, y)
 [Enter] {sqrt} {confrc}

 {clear}
 Solve 5x^2 + 18x = 15 with the quadratic formula
  5 [Enter]
 18 [Enter]
 15 {quadr}
 [Enter] {confrc}
 for the periodic continued fraction.

 {clear}
 For calculations with rational numbers, click somewhere on
 the central frame. It should be coloured blue and have "Q"
 as caption. The basic operations are customized to work
 with rationals p/q now.
 To compute the harmonic mean of 3, 5 and 8, key in
 1 [Enter]
 3 [Enter]
 1 [Enter]
 5 {+}
 1 [Enter]
 8 {+}
 1 [Enter]
 3 {×} {x«»y}

 {clear}
 In musical theory, the small difference between 7 octaves (2:1)
 and 12 perfect fifths (3:2) is called the Pythagorean comma.
 To compute its precise harmonic ratio, key in
 3 [Enter]
 2 [Enter]
 12 {a^k}
 and
 2 [Enter]
 1 [Enter]
  7 {a^k} {÷}
 you'll find the result in registers Y and X,
 press {conv} for the full 20-digit decimal expansion.

 Let's express this microinterval in cents
 (-the 1200th part of an octave)
 {log}
 for a rational approximation of log(interval)
 2 [Enter] 1 {log} {÷}
 divide by log(2)
 1200 [Enter] 1 {×}
 and multiply by 1200.
 {conv} to view the size in decimal,
 50 {confrc}
 for a small rational approximation.

 {clear}
 Compute the first few terms defining
 Liouville's constant Sum{n=1:inf}10^-n!
 1 [Enter] 10 [Enter]
 1 [Enter] 100 {+}
 1 [Enter] 10 [Enter] 6 {a^k} {+}
 1 [Enter] 10 [Enter] 4 {n!} {a^k} {+}
 1 [Enter] 10 [Enter] 5 {n!} {a^k} {+}
 and display its outrageous continued fraction
 [Enter] {confrc}
 this is Sloane's sequence A058304.

 {clear}
 Stay in rational mode for root-of-unity exp(Pi*2i/3)
 1 {chs} [Enter]
 0 {r »p}
 compute a rational approximation of constant Pi
 2 [Enter]
 3 {×} {p» r}
 convert the product to rectangular coordinates and
 find the real and imaginary components of the root.

 {clear}
 To compute complex power (3 + 4i)^(4 / 3), input
 3 [Enter]
 4 {r »p} {sto}
 convert base to polar coordinates and save argument fi
 {drop} {drop} {log}
 4 [Enter]
 3 {×} {exp}
 compute modulus ^ (4 / 3)
 {roll} {roll} {rcl}
 4 [Enter]
 3 {×} {p» r}
 restore argument fi, multiply by 4 / 3 and convert back
 to Cartesian coordinates (2.806, 8.076...)

 Click the frame twice to switch back to normal ('Z') mode.

 {clear}
 An indeterminate problem from Master Sun's mathematical manual
 (the 4th century Sunzi Suanjing):
   There is an unknown number of things. If we count by threes,
   there is a remainder 2; if we count by fives, there is a
   remainder 3; if we count by sevens there is a remainder 2.
   Now find the number of things.
 To solve x = 2 mod 3, x = 3 mod 5 and x = 2 mod 7, key in
 3 [Enter]
 2 [Enter]
 5 [Enter]
 3 {chinese}
 7 [Enter]
 2 {chinese}
 Note that the moduli of each pair are input first.

 {clear}
 To find four successive numbers
 each divisible by a square, key in
 11 {a^2}
  0 [Enter]
 13 {a^2}
  1 {chinese}
 17 {a^2}
  2 {chinese}
 19 {a^2}
  3 {chinese}
 To verify, press
 [Enter] {dcr}
 [Enter] {dcr}
 [Enter] {dcr}
 [Enter] 361 {mod}
 [Backspc] 289 {mod}
 [Backspc] 169 {mod}
 [Backspc] 121 {mod}

 {clear}
 An indeterminate problem from E. Bézout's 1766 Cours d'Algèbre:
  How can you pay a sum of 542 pounds, giving coins of
  17 pounds value, and receiving change in 11 pound coins?
 Key in
  17 [Enter]
  11 {chs} [Enter]
 542 {bezout}
 Paying 39 * 17 and receiving 11 * 11 makes 542 indeed.

 {clear}
 Because the equation my + ax = b is equivalent to the
 congruence ax = b (mod m), the bezout function is used also
 for solving a system 17x = -1 (mod 7) and 11x = -2 (mod 15).
  7 [Enter]
 17 [Enter]
  1 {chs} {bezout}
 solves the first congruence,
 15 [Enter]
 11 [Enter]
  2 {chs} {bezout}
 solves the second,
 {drop} {clx} 15
 {drop} {drop} {clx} 7
 {drop} {drop} {chinese}
 solves the system.
 
 {clear}
 Iff a number m is prime, then 1 and -1 are the only
 square roots of 1 modulo m, otherwise there always
 exists another pair of square roots of unity.
 Suppose m = 10^8 + 1,
 10 [Enter] 8 {a^k} {inc}
 1 {modsqr}
 obtain a non-trivial root of 1 (mod m).
 The number is associated with itself, so {modinv}
 verifies the result, as well as {a^2} {x«»y} {mod}
 The Miller-Rabin pseudoprime test uses the detection of
 such peculiar roots of 1 to recognize composite numbers.

 {clear}
 Find the 7-adic expansion of 2 / 3 to precision O(7^10)
 7 [Enter] 10 {a^k}
 [Enter] [Enter]
 3 {modinv}
 {shl} {x«»y} {mod}
 compute 2 / 3 (mod 7^10)
 1 [Enter]
 7 {conv}
 convert to base 7 and read from right to left.

 {clear}
 For both 7-adic branches of square root 2, input
 7 [Enter] 10 {a^k}
 2 {modsqr}
 to solve x^2 = 2 (mod 7^10)
 1 [Enter]
 7 {conv}
 for the first branch
 {drop} {-}
 1 [Enter]
 7 {conv}
 for the second.

 {clear}
 To find the next irreducible rational number after -22/7
 with denominator < 113, key in
 22 {chs}
 7 [Enter]
 112 {farey}
 Find the simplest rational between both fractions
 {sto} {last} [Enter] {rcl}
 joins argument and result; click the central frame twice
 to switch to complex mode, then press {+} to sum the
 denominators and numerators in a single operation.
 Press [Enter] {farey} to jump forward and verify.

 Click the frame to switch back to normal ('Z') mode.

 {clear}
 To traverse an aliquot sequence of order four, input
 1264460
 and repeat
 {divf} {-}
 This is equivalent to applying the restricted divisor function.

 {clear}
 When 2^89 - 1 was verified by R.E. Powers to be prime,
 the tenth perfect number was known. Key in
 2 [Enter]
 88 {a^k} [Enter]
 {shl} {dcr} {×}
 {divf}...
 The sum of the divisors is in register Y now, press
 {conv}
 to see that it is equal to twice 2^88 × (2^89 - 1).

 {clear}
 A number is called deficient if this ratio is < 2,
 abundant if it is > 2. The abundance is easily computed,
 for example
 945 {divf}
 {shl} {-}

 If gcd(m, 10) = 1, then the length of the decimal period
 for the reciprocal of m is equal to the order of 10 modulo m.
 1 [Enter] 19 {conv}
 to verify the decimal period has length 18.
 Press 5 times [Enter], then
 10 {modord}
 to see that 10 belongs to 18 modulo 19.
 It's easy now to find the least multiple of
 19 that consists of nines only
 {a^k} {roll} {÷}
 compute the digits in the period of 1/19
 {roll} {×}
 19 is a full reptend prime, meaning the decimal period
 for 1/19 has maximal length p - 1. In contrast there are
 large primes with surprisingly short decimal periods,
 try ord_333667(10) for example.

 {clear}
 Check: If g is a primitive root of m, then g^k is a
 primitive root of m only if gcd(k, phi(m)) = 1.
 Suppose m = 242, key in
 242 [Enter]
 1 {modord}
 to find phi(m) = 110 and the least primitive root is 7.
 2 {gcd} is > 1, so 7^2 shouldn't be primitive modulo m
 {roll} {roll} {clx}
 7 {a^2} {modord}
 indeed, ord_49(242) < phi(242)
 but 7^3 is
 {clx} 7 {×} {modord}

 {clear}
 An Euler pseudoprime is a composite number n which
 satisfies 2^ (n - 1)/ 2 = ± 1 (mod n), for example
 561 [Enter]
 {dcr} {shr} [Enter]
 2 {x«»y} {modpwr}
 According to Wilson's theorem, should 561 be prime,
 then it must divide 560! + 1
 {x«»y} [Enter]
 {dcr} {n!} {inc}
 {x«»y} {mod} leaving remainder one.
 As this infallible method is unfeasible for big numbers,
 better use
 {last} {split}

 {clear}
 A Fibonacci pseudoprime is a composite number n such that
 F_(n-e) = 0 (mod n), with e = ± 1 the value of
 the Kronecker's symbol (5/n), for example
 323 [Enter]
  5 {modsqr}
 because (5/323) = -1, divide by F_324
 {drop} [Enter]
 {inc} {fibo}
 {x«»y} {mod}
 so n has passed the test. Press
 {last} {split} to find you're fooled.

 {clear}
 To demonstrate the principle of public-key encryption, we'll
 encode the number of the beast 666 with a 256-bit key. Input
 38 {rnd} {prim}...
 40 {rnd} {prim}...
 {sto} two random primes p and q
 {dcr} {x«»y} {dcr} {×}
 and compute totient (p - 1)(q - 1).
 Use public-key exponent k = 101
 and solve kx = 1 (mod totient)
 101 {modinv}
 now private-key exponent l is in register X.
 {drop} {rcl} {×}
 compute modulus N = p × q, and
 {roll} {sto} private-key pair (l, N)
 {clx}
 666 [Enter]
 101 {modpwr}
 find ciphertext 666^k (mod N) in register X,
 to decode with private-key pair (l, N), do
 {drop} {rcl} {roll}
 {x«»y} {modpwr}
 The process is easily repeated with another argument
 {clx}
 10 [Enter] 63 {a^k}
 101 {modpwr}
 and back again
 {drop} {rcl} {roll}
 {x«»y} {modpwr}

 All primes p equal to 1 modulo 4 will factor into conjugate
 Gaussian primes x ± yi in the ring of complex integers Z[i].
 10 [Enter] 8 {a^k} {inc}
 {split}  5 times [Enter]
 {split}
 factorizes in Z[i]. Press
 {a^2} {x«»y}
 {a^2) {+} to verify x^2 + y^2 = p.

 {clear}
 This is how you proceed to factorize a Gaussian composite,
 for example z = 4705 - 8824i
 4705 {a^2}
 8824 {a^2} {+}
 computes the norm of z
 {split}
 factorizes the norm
 {split}
 {drop} {x«»y} {roll} {x«»y} {split}
 gives both Gaussian prime factors of z.
 Switch the central frame into complex ('K') mode
 {chs} {×}
 and reconstruct the number we started with.

 Switch back to normal mode.

 If -1 is square modulo some composite number m, we can
 find a quadratic representation x^2 + y^2 of m with
 Cornacchia's continued fractions method. Input
 10 [Enter] 40 {a^k} {inc}
 {split}  5 times [Enter]
 {dcr} {modsqr}...
 {roll} [Enter] {sqrt} {confrc}
 to compute y
 [Enter] {a^2}
 {roll} {x«»y} {-} {sqrt}
 to compute x.
 This is one of Alf van der Poorten's cute decompositions.

 {clear}
 To obtain the same number in a different way, input
 0 [Enter]
 10 [Enter] 20 {a^k} {inc}
 enter dividend (10^20 + 1)*i
 17 {split}
 factorize in Z[i] the prime we left out in the above
 click the central frame twice and press
 {÷}
 to compute the complex quotient.
 Click the frame once more to switch back to normal mode.

SourceForge.net logo Copyright © december 2004 by Sjoerd.J.Schaper