Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T17:33:30.787Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Approximating to a Square Root

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2016

Extract

The method explained by Dr. C. V Boys has great merit. I for one fully sympathise with his preference for vulgarity in fractions. What here follows is meant to be to some extent supplementary to Dr. Boys’ article.

If we denote by P1/Q1, P2/Q2, … the successive convergents to √M in Dr. Boys’ series which are arithmetic means, and P1= p, Q1=q, the law connecting them is

Pr+1=Pr2+MQr2, Qr+1=2PrQr.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Mathematical Association 1933

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

* Math.Gazette, XVI (May, 1932), p. 111.