Re: how to write a program loop
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg2554] Re: how to write a program loop
- From: hibbarda at central.edu (Al Hibbard)
- Date: Mon, 20 Nov 1995 01:14:12 -0500
- Organization: Central College, Iowa
In article <48h56d$rd5 at ralph.vnet.net>, "Enrico C. Walker" <ewalke1 at gl.umbc.edu> writes:
>How do I write a program loop to find a power of n (n^x) where x is about
>200 digits. I know that my equation will blow-up if plug-in directly :
>
> 200^x ; where x is 200 digits.
>
>so I want to find the result by using iterations -i.e. 2^4 = 2^(2)*2 = 16
>Please advise.
>
>
>
>
In the previous message, the request was 245^500. I say simply do it! What is
going to blow up? If you insist on a loop, a very simple and naive approach
is as follows:
x = 245
Do[x = x*245, {499}]
Print[x]
This, hwoever, takes longer than simply asking for the power. There are other
variations of a loop process, but there should be a good reason before using
this approach.
Al Hibbard