Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Euclidean algorithm/archive1: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:32, 9 May 2009

Revision as of 03:35, 9 May 2009

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**"The algorithm was likely known by Eudoxus of Cnidus (about 375 BC). The use of the technical term ἀνθυφαίρεσις (anthyphairesis, reciprocal subtraction) in Euclid and Aristotle (Topics IV) suggests that the algorithm predates Eudoxus." I see what you're getting at, but to some readers, these sentences may seem to contradict each other. Suggested rewrite: "The use of the technical term ἀνθυφαίρεσις (anthyphairesis, reciprocal subtraction) in Euclid and Aristotle (Topics IV) suggests that what we now know as the Euclidean Algorithm may have predated [[Eudoxus of Cnidus]], a Greek mathematician who died in approximately 350 BC." or some such. Meh. That's not exactly perfect either. Give it some thought.

**"Euclid's algorithm was re-invented both in India and in China" "re-invent" often implies that an existing concept was significantly improved. I think "independently developed" or "independently discovered" might serve better.

**::Good idea, made additional minor changes in wording. [[User:Proteins|Proteins]] ([[User talk:Proteins|talk]]) 03:35, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

**"the Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata described the algorithm as the "pulverizer"" Erm... why?

**::Good question! The historical record does not say, as far as I can tell. One author speculates that it's because the algorithm "pulverizes" difficult linear Diophantine equations in only a few steps, emphasizing its power to solve problems. Its operation also vaguely resembles a pulverizer that breaks a large stone into medium-sized stones, then into small stones, and thence into dust. [[User:Proteins|Proteins]] ([[User talk:Proteins|talk]]) 03:35, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

**"and applied it solving linear Diophantine equations" Consider changing "applied it solving" to "used it to solve".

**::Much better, thank you! [[User:Proteins|Proteins]] ([[User talk:Proteins|talk]]) 03:35, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

**"Although a special case of the Chinese remainder theorem was described earlier by Chinese mathematician and astronomer Sun Tzu" The use of "earlier" implies a relation to the previous sentence rather than the following clause. Suggest "was described earlier" to "had already been described".

**::Good! [[User:Proteins|Proteins]] ([[User talk:Proteins|talk]]) 03:35, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

**"The algorithm was first described in Europe in the second edition of Bachet's ''Problèmes plaisants et délectables'' (1624)." Which algorithm? The EA? Or the Chinese Remainder Theorem? Also, do you have a translation for that French title?

**::Clarified EA, translated title. [[User:Proteins|Proteins]] ([[User talk:Proteins|talk]]) 03:35, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

* More to come. Good work thus far. --'''[[User:Cryptic C62|Cryptic C62]] · [[User talk: Cryptic C62|Talk]]''' 19:59, 3 May 2009 (UTC)

:::Thank you very much for your careful reviewing! The article is definitely improving. [[User:Proteins|Proteins]] ([[User talk:Proteins|talk]]) 10:32, 4 May 2009 (UTC)