[net.math] What is entier

ken@turtleva.UUCP (Ken Turkowski) (08/25/83)

In one of the publication-Algol algorithms in ACM's collection is a
function called entier().  Does anyone have any idea what this function
does?  From what I can see from context, it seems that it is an integer
function of an integer, and that the identity function might suffice.
Anyone more knowledgeable out there?

			Ken Turkowski
		    CADLINC, Palo Alto
		{decwrl,amd70}!turtlevax!ken

bill@utastro.UUCP (08/27/83)

	In one of the publication-Algol algorithms in ACM's collection is a
	function called entier().  Does anyone have any idea what this function
	does?  

Quoting from a paper "An Introduction to ALGOL 60" by M. Woodger
(Journal unknown, but he refers to *Numerische Mathematik*, Vol. 2,
pp. 106-136 (1960)).

	"x denotes the current value of the expression E.
		.
		.
		.
	entier (E)	the integral part of x (largest integer not
			greater than x), of type *integer*"

It is clear from the context that the argument must be real.

	Bill Jefferys
	Astronomy Dept, University of Texas, Austin TX 78712   (Snail)
	ihnp4!kpno!utastro!bill   (uucp)
	utastro!bill@utexas-11   (ARPA)