Re: factoring using geomerty?

pleyland_at_microsoft.com
Date: 09/30/03 

Date: 30 Sep 2003 09:05:36 +0100

"Douglas A. Gwyn" <DAGwyn@null.net> writes:

> pleyland@microsoft.com wrote:
> > "sqrt\(i\)" <com.com@com> writes:
> > > does anyone know if a method using geometry has been used, or could be
> > > developed to factor numbers into their primes factors?
> > > Does anyone have an idea where to start? and what kind of geometry will be
> > > most useful to the purpose of factoring?
> > It most certainly has. I suggest that a good place to start is
> > Euclid's Elements.
> > The ancient Greeks described virtually all their mathematics in terms
> > of geometry. ...
>
> On the other hand, great advances in mathematical knowledge became
> possible only after the algebraization of mathematics.

That is also true. However, I was answering the "has been used" part
of the question and not directly the "could be developed" portion.

Be careful of what you questions you ask, as sometimes you will be
given the answer ;-)

Paul 

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