FACTOR(VI) 1/15/73 FACTOR(VI)





FACTOR(VI)                   1/15/73                   FACTOR(VI)







NAME

     factor - discover prime factors of a number



SYNOPSIS

     factor



DESCRIPTION

     When factor is invoked without an argument, it waits  for  a

     number  to  be  typed  in.  If you type in a positive number
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     less than 2   (about 7.2e16) 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.  It takes 1 minute
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     to factor a prime near 10  .



DIAGNOSTICS

     `Ouch.' for input out of range or for garbage input.



BUGS
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